Five Tips to Avoid Sunburns

Posted on: July 29th, 2016 by

How to Minimize Sun Damage and Burns

It feels like one of our hottest summers yet, and we have been spending all of our free time, outside of pool maintenance, soaking in the pool. We hope you are doing the same! It is important to us to spend every moment we can outside in the summer, and this means protecting our skin from the sun. This month, we are bringing you tips to avoid sunburns and how to keep your skin safe and healthy.

1. Sunscreen, sunscreen, sunscreen. This is probably the most obvious one, and in our minds the most important! Whenever you will be exposed to sun, make sure you have sunscreen with you. Even if it is cloudy outside or getting dark, you will still be exposed to sun, so there is never a time in the summer to not apply that sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Reapply your sunscreen about every two hours, and if you are spending a lot of time in the pool you should apply more often that that. If you have a baby who is less than 6 months old, you should avoid sunscreen and use other sun protection items such as a hat and clothing. Otherwise, apply away!

2. Monitor your sun exposure between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. The sun’s rays are the strongest between these times, so really pay attention to your exposure. Find shade wherever possible and limit your time in direct sunlight. Many experts recommend avoiding sun during these hours, but in the summer that is very difficult, so just be aware and make sure you are lathered up and hydrated!

3. Find a good hat and pair of sunglasses. Pairing a hat with regular sunscreen application is probably the best thing you can do for your skin. A broad-brimmed hat (one of those floppy hats with a brim that goes all the way around) is the best for sun protection and will do a better job than a baseball cap or visor. Also, make sure you are protecting your eyes with a good pair of sunglasses. You probably don’t think about the fact that the sun can burn your eyes just like it can burn your skin, but it is extremely painful and can be harmful, so just take the extra step of finding sunglasses that protect your eyes. Check the UV rating on your sunglasses before you buy them. The highest UV rating is UV 400, which offers 100% protection from both UVA and UVB rays.

4. Cover up when you are out of the pool. We know how fun tanning can be, and it does feel so nice to lie out in the sun. However, extended exposure causes more damage than it is worth. Invest in a good cover-up or shirt. You can even buy clothing that specifically offers UV protection, but if you aren’t going that far any tightly woven clothing will do the trick.

5. Remember that sun protection isn’t just for the pool. We tend to get our worst sunburns in our everyday lives rather than when we are spending a day at the pool or beach. It is easier to remember to apply sunscreen and take care of our skin when we know we will be out in the sun for long periods of time, but we tend to forget that sun exposure occurs at all times: when we are driving, walking to lunch, even going to get the mail. Apply sunscreen every day in the summer, not just when you are headed to the pool. If you use lotion and face moisturizer, switch over to brands that contain SPF. If not, add sunscreen application into your morning routine.

We hope you enjoy the rest of your summer and stay burn-free!

How to Use This Information

Here at Allen Pool, we want to make sure your pool experiences are safe and fun. From tips on sun protection to maintenance services all the way to renovation, we are here for whatever pool-related assistance you need. For any of our top-of-the-line services, call us today at (770) 451-1621 or contact us online!

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