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Hats are an easy and fashionable ways to protect you’re eyes, ears, nose, neck and scalp from
sun. Try and purchase a hat with a three- inch brim all way around hat if possible. There are such a wide variety of hats available in styles ranging from lovely straw hats with wide brims, to cotton hats with brims and baseball caps (some with material draping down sides and back if desired).
Another popular form of sun protection is available in sun protective swimwear and cover-ups. This swimwear covers areas of body most sensitive to sunburn, giving effective sun protection. The swimwear comes in styles similar to a t-shirt with adjoining shorts, and is a great idea especially for children. The swimwear and cover-ups boast a SPF 50 (highest rating for fabric) and most often offers approximately ninety-eight percent sunblock, nylon-lycra mix is lightweight and fast- drying. There are also sunsuits combined with buoyancy aids (another great idea for children). The sun protective swimwear, t-shirts, cover-ups and hats are available in babies, children and adult sizes. Although protective swimwear is quite popular it has yet to be approved by FDA.
Cover-ups should be worn whenever possible if out in sun. A cover-up can include any lightweight, loose-fitting, long sleeved shirts, skirts, pants or robes that provide protection from sun. There are toweling robes manufactured that serve both as a towel and a cover-up after swimming. Almost all materials and colors absorb or reflect sun’s harmful UV rays. However it must be noted that it is suggested to avoid wearing wet clothing in sun, as sun’s rays can much more easily pass through wet clothing.
It is important to avoid artificial tanning as much as possible. It has long been a belief that ultraviolet (UV) rays from tanning beds are harmless as they emit mostly UVA rays and barely any UVB rays considered to be most hazardous. However it has been found that UVA rays may be cause of most serious forms of skin cancer (melanoma). This is scary considering some people use tanning beds all year long, thus increasing their exposure to harmful rays at an alarming rate.
An alternative to a real tan may come in one of self-tanning products available on market. Self-tanning products are sold in tanning pills, sunless tanning lotions and sprays, cosmetic bronzers and extenders and tanning pills. Through a bit of trial and error you can usually find a product that will produce a desired look from a subtle glow to a deep dark tan. Caution should also be exercised with these self-tanning products. In particular tanning pills that use carotenoid color additives which are approved as additives for coloring food but not for use in tanning pills, if consumed in high levels they may be harmful. The tanning accelerators using tyrosine have not been FDA approved and should also be used minimally. The bronzers and extenders use color additives that are approved by FDA and because they wash or wear off quite quickly are quite safe.
Although it’s important to practice caution while being out and about in sun, your day at beach or lake can still be a wonderful experience. We just have to take a more careful approach to our sun seeking ways to ensure our future health. So pack away your coconut oil and reflectors, replacing them with sunscreen and great sun protective hats and cover-ups.
Valerie Giles owns and operates Bikinis and Swimsuits, a swimsuit and resort wear site showcasing bikinis, swimwear and resort wear. Find the perfect swimsuit for every occasion and every figure type. http://www.bikinis-and-swimsuits.com
