Summer | How To Stay Safe in the Sun and Treat Sunburn

Hey guys

I know that holiday season is pretty much over but some people are still on holiday and going to exotic destinations. I probably should have done this earlier but I didn't think of it, so it will do for people who are maybe just about to jet off somewhere or for next year.

This post is about how to stay safe in the sun and how to avoid sunburn/sunstroke and how to treat it if you do get it.

The sun is brutal sometimes. I'm in Sri Lanka and its the low season but it is still 30 degrees so god knows what its like in high season!! My first day here consited of me getting burnt and looking like a lobster even though I had applied suncream numerous times during the day.

That is the first thing you need to do. It is recommended that you put on the suncream with a high enough factor before you get dressed, so that way you don't miss any areas. It is a good idea to get a suncream that is sweat and water resistant so it will stay longer. I use Garnier Ambre Solaire Golden protect in SPF 20. It has gold sparkles which attracts the sun to enhance a tan and still protects you from the sun. It is water and sweat resistant and doesn't leave your skin greasy which is good. You should be applying this regularly throughout the day to protect yourself. 

It is a good idea to stay out of the sun for a while. What I tend to do is stay in the sun for a bit to get a tan then spend a while in the shade and in the pool to cool down. Ideally you should stay out of the sun between 2-4pm because that is when its hottest, making you more vulnerable to heat stroke and sun burn. 

Another way to stay safe is to cover up. Get a loose cotton T Shirt to wear during the day to stop burning. I usually go for a white one because it reflects heat. Also, get a hat that has about a 8cm brim around the edge. This protects your ees from glare, you from sunstroke and burnt face. Baseball caps aren't the best option because you still have exposed ears and neck. Hats also help to keep you cool. Wear sunglasses too because the penetrating UV rays from the sun can damage your eyes and lead to cataracks.

After you have been in the sun and showered, apply a moisturiser EVERYWHERE. Your skin gets dried out from the sun and moisture needs to be replaced otherwise you get wrinkles at an earlier age. 

Got sunburn? Here are some ways I found and tested to treat it.

Even though I had suncream and stuff, I still got burnt because the sun is brutal here. I Googled some ways to help treat it found some useful ways.

The first thing I did was take an Ibuprofen tablet at night. Ibuprofen helps take down swelling and decrease redness and sting from sunburn. I took this before sleep so it could work overnight with no sunlight. I took 1 a day for 2 days and my sunburn went down. 

Showering or bathing in cool or tepid water will cool it down. I stood in the cold shower for about 20 mins and I could kind of feel the sting go away. If your sunburn has blistered, have a bath instead because the pressure from showers could burst the blisters and make it worse. Try to avoid soaps and detergents in the bath/shower. Cleaning products such as soaps will only male the irritation worse and cause more discomfort. When you are done, pat yourself dry with a soft towel. The towels here in the hotel weren't soft so patting dry over burnt areas was still painful. Then apply your moisturiser. 

Aloe Vera also helps to reduce sunburn. Apply aloe vera oil, or a moisturiser that contains aloe vera, after showering to help reduce it. 

It is extremely important to care for your skin during summer in particular, but also everyday. Even in the winter or cooler times of year your skin is still exposed to the sun but will not penetrate it as much. Look for products that contain SPF - a lot of companies have SPF in products. If you fail to look after your skin, especially in warmer months, it could be a risk of skin cancer. These links have more detailed information. 

How to Stay Safe in the Sun:

http://m.wikihow.com/Stay-Safe-in-the-Sun

How to Treat Sunburn:

http://m.wikihow.com/Treat-a-Sunburn 

Once again, sorry this is late, but hopefully it will make you more aware.

Summer is not over yet and it can still be damaged, at home or abroad. 

See you soon,

SparkleEyes x