Sun Protection Tips for Healthy Skin

Vitamin D is important as it keeps bones strong, maintains muscle strength and reduces the risk of some autoimmune diseases like diabetes. Of course, the most natural way to produce adequate levels of vitamin D is to spend some time in the sun. While doing so, it's important to take measures to protect your skin.

1. Cover Up

Don't like the idea of long shirts and pants in the hot sun? Think light weight, loose fitting clothes that will not only keep you cool, but will also protect your skin. Tightly-woven, dry, dark fabrics offer the best protection according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. You can even look for clothing with a determined ultraviolet protection factor, based on the fabrics, dyes and chemicals used.

"Loose-fitting, light-weight clothes will keep you cool while protecting your skin."

The CDC also advised wearing a large-brimmed hat that will shade the top of your head, face, neck and ears, and sunglasses to reduce the risk of cataracts and protect the thin, sensitive skin around your eyes. Properly covering up with the right clothing and accessories is the first and simplest line of defense against the sun.

2. Use Sunscreen

In addition to wearing protective clothing, hats and sunglasses, one should always wear sunscreen to protect against the potential harms of ultraviolent radiation and keep skin healthy. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen to protect your skin against both UVB and UVA rays, as explained by the Food and Drug Administration.

Be aware of "waterproof" sunscreen. All types of sunscreen must be applied at least every two hours and any time after swimming, sweating or toweling off in order for them to work properly. So when choosing a sunscreen, focus on broad spectrum coverage and always apply often and generously to yield the greatest protection against ultraviolet radiation. 

Aging skin may not be life threatening, but it is something that most people want to avoid. In addition to health concerns, sunscreen is also important for preserving bright, healthy looking skin. Unprotected sun exposure can cause wrinkling, discolored age spots, sagging and a leathery appearance, said the Skin Cancer Foundation. So use sunscreen for cosmetic purposes, too, and support all-around healthy skin.

Read more on... Sun Protection Tips for Healthy Skin

Author: pritikin