Fun in the Sun: Safety Tips to Protect Your Skin

Now that you know which nude beaches you’re traveling to we wanted to equip you with some sun safety tools so those cakes don’t overbake. According to the CDC, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States with approximately 4.3 million adults being treated for it annually. The good news is there are plenty of preventative measures you can take to protect yourself without having to completely avoid time out in the sun. Here is what the experts recommend.

Wear Sunscreen!

And let the Church say…DUH!! This should come as no surprise. However, it not only bears repeating but there are a few usage guidelines that aren’t common sense.

1. Firstly, make sure to wear sunscreen even if it is cloudy outside. There is sometimes a misconception that if the sun isn’t bright and beating down that you do not need sun protection. This is a huge falsehood. If you’re out and about, you should be wearing sunscreen.
2. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen. It should definitely be a water-resistant brand and have an SPF factor of at least 30.  Make sure it protects against UVA rays (which are longer wavelength sunrays responsible for aging and long-term skin damage) and UVB rays (shorter rays responsible for sunburns). Only products that pass the FDA’s broad-spectrum requirements are legally allowed to be marketed as such, so pay attention to the labels.
3. Apply sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes before going outside to ensure proper absorption into the skin.
4. Diligently reapply sunscreen every two hours, every one hour if you are swimming or sweating. The label should clarify the length of time you can expect SPF protection while swimming or sweating; usually 40 to 80 minutes.
5. Don’t forget those luscious lips! Make sure to get a lip balm that contains an SPF of at least 30.

Practice the Shadow Rule

If your shadow is shorter than you, let it serve as an indicator that the sun’s rays are at their absolute strongest and you should limit your time in the sun during these times. While seeking shade is ideal for these times of day, if you are going to stay in the sun, at least try not to exceed more than 20 minutes of exposure. Make sure to listen to your body for internal cues of danger or overheating. Here are a few ways to stay on the beach and out of the sun at the same time!

1. Get a fabulous beach umbrella. One with a tilt function that you can adjust throughout the day to match the sun is best, along with a sand anchor so you don’t have to chase it down the beach every time the wind takes it. Besides that, the world is your oyster. With all the patterns and prints available, make it a statement piece!
2. Wear sun-protective clothing. Now, I know you’re on a nude beach for a reason but covering up from time to time during a day at the beach will do wonders to limit sun exposure, especially between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun is at its strongest. Ideally, dark, tight-knit clothing will do the best job in blocking out the sun but that’s not realistic. Full coverage kaftans can, however, be a fierce and sassy way to protect yourself. There is also sun-protective clothing with a built-in UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating. Clothing made of UPF 50 fabric blocks 98% of the sun’s rays

It’s All About the Accessories

With shade, sunscreen, and UPF attire in place to protect your skin, there are other parts of the body we want to protect too. Plus, it gives us the chance to accessorize!! And who doesn’t love a good accessory?

1. Protect your eyes with a good pair of UV sunglasses. There is often a debate over polarized vs UV lenses. Polarized glasses are great to reduce glare off the water, but they will do little to protect your eyes from UV rays. Glasses with a UV 400 rating will provide you with 100% UVA and UVB protection from the sun.
2. Get a “say-something” beach hat to protect your head and face. Broad brim, bucket, and legionnaire hats offer the best protection from UV radiation.

If you follow these tips, you will be well on your way to protecting yourself against the damaging effects of the sun. The more you do to protect your skin now, the more fun in the sun you’ll have later on. Now get out there and (safely) soak up the sun!