• Protecting your skin against UV Damage

    Date: 2010.08.04 | Category: Body And Beauty Treatment Tips | Tags: ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

    UV Protection

    PREVENTING UV DAMAGE

    Adopting simple precautions can make all the difference.

    Tips to Save Your Skin

    •Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen (which protects against UVA and UVB rays) that carries the CANSA Seal of Recognition (CSOR) – apply daily and reapply throughout the day.

    •Buy sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.  If possible keep the extra pair in your car.

    •Install window film that protects against UV rays on your car’s side and back windows.  

     

    •For men apply an after-shave balm, with an SPF of at least 15, after shaving.  If you can’t find one you like, buy a CSOR sunscreen for the face. Don’t forget your ears and all around your neck.

    •For women apply a moisturizer with an SPF of at least 15. If you can’t find one you like, buy a separate CSOR sunscreen for the face and apply it before your moisturiser.

    •Wear a hat with a brim, not a baseball cap. Wear it when you’re outdoors -especially for men who are balding or thinning on top.

    •Use a lip balm with an SPF of 20+ and apply it regularly.   

    •Keep a bottle of sunscreen with an SPF of 20 or higher in the glove compartment of your car, reapply the product frequently.

    •Ask your barber or hairdresser if he sees any moles or bumps on your scalp, if he or she does, go to a doctor or dermatologist and have them checked out.

    •Partners should regularly check one another’s backs for any changes in existing moles or the development of new moles.

    Children are at Risk

    Children are at a higher risk of suffering UV damage than adults, and therefore require special protection. A short time outdoors in the midday summer sun can result in serious burns – and even a single sunburn in childhood may significantly increase their skin cancer risk. Children love playing outdoors and spend much more time in the sun than the average adult. Estimates suggest that the majority of a person’s lifetime exposure to UV radiation is received before the age of 18.

    Think about sun safety all year round – whether you’re at the beach, at a soccer game, or in the garden. 

    Ways To Protect Children

    •Sunscreen Use a broad spectrum sunscreen (SPF20+) that carries the CANSA Seal of Recognition (CSOR)

    •Encourage children’s lotion devotion. Apply sunscreen every day after they’ve brushed their teeth or before they get dressed. They’ll be more likely to make it part of their routine when they’re older.  

    •Keep sunscreen and lip balm (SPF 20+) in all your bags—handbags, kids’ sports bags, backpacks, cooler bags.

    •Pack sunscreen for your child at preschool or day care and talk to his teacher about reapplying it.

    •Remember to cover the ears, nape of the neck, chin, tops of the feet, backs of the hands, hair partings and any sparse spots on the scalp with sunscreen.

    •Use more than you think you need. When manufacturers test a sunscreen’s SPF, they’re required to apply a thick layer to skin.  Allow enough time to apply the sunscreen properly.

    •Reapply sunscreen every hour especially after swimming 

    •Don’t save it for sunny summer days. The sun’s reflective power is strong -17 % on sand and 80 % on snow. Even when it’s cloudy, 80 % of invisible UV rays still hit your child’s skin and they can cause surprisingly bad burns.

    •Use your imagination. Tell your child that sunscreen is special “makeup” or “paint,” and write words or letters on her body (and let her do the same to you).

    •Let your kids see you putting sunscreen on yourself

    •Check the expiration date of your sunscreen.

    •Clothing Less UV passes through tightly woven or knitted fabrics, darker colours usually block more UV radiation. Garments that are over-stretched, wet or worn out may lose some of their UV protection properties.

    •Hats Children should wear wide brimmed hats that give better protection – not baseball caps

    •Seek shade – Remember the shadow rule: Watch your shadow – No shadow, seek shade!

    •Explain to your children that too much sun is bad for their skin. Just as you tell them about the dangers   of smoking and the importance of eating healthy foods, talk to them about risks from the sun.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT US ON:

    011.327.4490

    info@somabodytherapy.co.za

    www.somabodytherapy.co.za