What is one thing stopping you from enjoying the summer? The sun! While the sun is a very important part of our ecosystem, it can also be dangerous. Did you know sunburn is not caused from the light you see, but from the light you cannot see? The sun emits ultraviolet rays that are undetectable to the human eye. The most common way to prevent any type of sunburn is to wear sunscreen. The Center for Disease Control also suggests that limiting your exposure to UV rays is imperative when the sun is most powerful, which is between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. They go on to warn that sunburn and sun damage can occur even on cloudy days.Although you may take suggested preventive measures to protecting your skin, there is always a chance of getting sunburned. What is important, is how you treat it! In order to fight skin damage, the Skin Cancer Foundation has these tips:
- Act Fast – If you feel sunburn coming on, cover back up. You can apply ice, or take a cold shower or bath, but not for too long.
- Moisturize –Repeat this process over the next few days.
- Replenish fluids – Burns can draw fluid to the surface and away from the rest of the body, which can cause dehydration. Drink enough water every day to counteract the sunburn.
Don’t let UV rays burn you out this year, and take the necessary precautions to have a fun, sun loving summer!