At higher altitude During the late spring and summer months Closer to the equator When reflected off of surfaces such as snow, ice, water, sand, and concrete
Bright- or dark-colored fabrics, which have a much higher Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) than light-colored clothing. Densely woven, lightweight fabrics. If you can see light through the fabric, this also means that UV light is getting through to your skin! Long sleeves and long pants will decrease skin exposure and provide the most protection. [1] X Expert Source Kaveri Karhade, MDBoard Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 5 January 2021. If you are wearing shorts, try to wear a longer pair that covers most of the thighs. For shirts, collared shirts can also help protect your neck from tanning. Many brands specifically designed for sun protection offer their UPF rating on the label. Seek out a UPF rating of 30 and above for substantial protection from the sun. [2] X Expert Source Kaveri Karhade, MDBoard Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 5 January 2021. [3] X Research source
A wide-brimmed hat (minimum of 3”), which will keep the sun off of the face, neck (front and back), and ears, as well as any bald spots or parts in the hair. Like protective clothing, the most effective hats will also be made of tightly-woven fabric that you cannot see light through when held up to the sun. Sunglasses that provide 100% UV ray protection, particularly models indicating that they provide UVB and UVA protection. Do not assume that dark-tinted lenses provide more protection as light-tinted lenses; it is not the darkness of the lens that indicates its ability to protect the eye from sun damage, and many light-colored lenses provide UVB and UVA protection (if indicated on the label). Wraparound sunglasses are even better, as they provide UV ray protection to the entire eye area, including the delicate skin around the eye and the eyelid. By blocking 99 - 100% of UV rays, wraparound sunglasses most effectively help to prevent serious conditions like cataracts and melanomas of the eye. [5] X Research source
Choose a sunscreen that is labeled as “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” to shield your skin from both the UVB rays that tan and burn the skin, as well as the UVA rays that penetrate the skin more deeply and cause sun-induced skin aging, called photoaging. [8] X Research source Choose a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. [9] X Expert Source Kaveri Karhade, MDBoard Certified Dermatologist Expert Interview. 5 January 2021. If you have fair skin, you should consider choosing a higher minimum SPF up to 50. Apply 1 ounce (a golf ball-sized amount) of sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside, and then reapply every 2 hours or after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Even if the sunscreen is labeled as “water-resistant” be sure to reapply often as this does not mean waterproof! Be careful to apply sunscreen to your entire body, especially the most commonly missed area like the ears, back of the neck, lips, hairlines, and the tops of feet.
Golf: With long hours on the course and increased UV reflections from the ponds and sand traps, you experience higher exposure to UV rays. Be sure to always wear a broad-brimmed hat (not a visor or a baseball hat!) and sunglasses, along with long pants or longer shorts and a shirt that minimally covers your shoulders and upper arms. Tennis, Running, and Hiking: Due to the excessive perspiration that accompanies these activities, participants are at an increased risk of sweating off their sunscreen. Because of this, reapplication of sunscreen is not enough protection, and clothing and hats with a UPF of 30 or higher are necessary to provide extra defense from prolonged sun exposure. Biking: Because of the posture your body is in while riding a bike, the back of the neck, the forearms, and the upper thighs receive much more sun exposure than the rest of the body. To avoid tanning or sunburn during a long bike ride, wear to-the-knee bike shorts, long sleeves, and a wide-brimmed hat and/or cover your neck with the collar of a shirt or a bandana. Sailing and Swimming: These activities have some of the highest UV exposure levels due to excessive reflection of UV rays off of the water. In addition to protective clothing and liberal reapplication of sunscreen, sailors and swimmers are recommended to choose sunscreen brands that include zinc oxide or titanium dioxide because they block and reflect UV rays better than other types of sunscreen ingredients that absorb UV rays.
Choose a sunscreen that not only has UVA/UVB protection, but that also has a lot of moisturizer in it to combat windburn. Try to find a sunscreen with ingredients like lanolin or glycerin. Don’t forget your lips! The skin on your lips is very delicate and prone to sunburn and windburn, so be sure to also wear a moisturizing lip balm with an SPF of 15 or higher. When choosing protective winter clothes and gear, be sure to cover up as much skin as possible; wear a hat, gloves, balaclava or light-weight scarf for face and neck protection, and sunglasses or goggles that offer UV protection. A ski mask with UV protection is an especially prudent choice, as it covers much of the face.
