Proactive Ways to Be Sun Smart this Summer

When an individual waits until they get a sunburn to protect themselves from the sun, it’s too late. Skin damage begins as soon as it’s exposed to the sun’s UV rays and it shouldn’t take a sunburn to scare people into being sun smart. It’s important for individuals to educate themselves on the risks of sun exposure and make responsible choices when it comes to the hot California summer sun. Below are some of the best ways for individuals to proactively protect their skin this summer

● Wear hats everywhere - It’s common to see individuals wearing sun hats when laying out by the pool or out on the golf course, but there are plenty of opportunities for skin damage to occur throughout the day, when people may not think to wear a hat. Lunch on a patio, taking the dog on a short walk, or mowing the lawn are all situations where an individual's head, face, and neck are exposed, even if it’s for a short amount of time. The more a person wears a hat in everyday situations, the more sun protection they’ll get.

● Install adequate shade in the yard - It’s not realistic to expect one sun umbrella or one tree to provide enough shade for everyone in the yard, and at all times of the day. Homeowners should have several patio umbrellas around the yard to offer enough protection for the whole family or guests, and to accommodate the sun’s movements throughout the day. In addition to umbrellas, homeowners may wish to install awnings, canopies, or create covered areas of their deck where they can find solace from UV rays. 

 ● Apply sunscreen everywhere - There are plenty of areas of the body that are neglected when an individual applies sunscreen. People tend to stick to the main areas of the arms, legs, neck, and face however those aren’t the only areas that are exposed to the sun. The part of the hair, tops of the ears, eyelids, and nostrils are all areas where sunscreen should be applied.

● SPF hand lotion - In addition to exposed areas on the head and face, individuals should take care to apply sunscreen to the backs of their hands and reapply often as it will come off with frequent hand washing. Some hand creams are available with SPF and applying them throughout the day is a great way to keep hands moisturized and protected from the sun at the same time. 

 ● Be diligent during the shoulder season - Individuals are well aware of the risks of sun exposure during July and August and many people are diligent about applying sunscreen during the peak summer months. While sunscreen should be worn year-round, any dermatologist palo alto will recommend that individuals be particularly careful during the summer’s shoulder seasons, including May, June, and September, where the Palo Alto sun can be just as damaging but is not on the radar for many people as being a hazardous time of year.