by Karen Karsten (former Sunburn Queen)
Seems like a long time since we’ve had to worry about sunburn! Here at last is summer with all the glorious greenery and warmth. Just remember, protecting your skin is very important when you are outdoors.
Sunburns can really put a damper on your life (it hurts!) and can cause premature aging and skin cancer. Here are five tips to save your beautiful skin–toast a bit but don’t burn….
-
Stay in the shade when possible. Not only will this protect you from the sun, it will also keep you from getting so hot.
-
Wear a good sweat proof sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. It only takes a few minutes to put it on before you go out, and it keeps you from having to worry about getting burned.
-
Make sure you’re completely covered. Areas that are often forgotten or not covered well when it comes to sunscreen include the ears, neck, and the portion of the scalp that is exposed by the part of your hair. Our lips need sunscreen too, so invest in a good lip balm or lipstick with sun protection in it.
-
Don’t underestimate the power of the sun. Being out for as little as 30 minutes without sunscreen can produce a burn, especially if you have fair skin.
-
Be sure to wear sunscreen when you’re in the water. You don’t feel a burn as easily, but the sun’s effects are actually intensified because the water reflects the sun onto your skin