Sun Kissed but Beautiful

Sun’s Ultra Violet Rays

1. UV rays, or ultraviolet rays, are the sun rays that cause skin cancer, sunburn, and premature wrinkling of the skin.

2. UV rays can be further broken down into UVA and UVB rays.

3. UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn. These rays are stronger closer to the sun, such as in the summer and closer to the equator.

4. UVA rays cause premature wrinkling of the skin and are present in the same strength regardless of where you are.

An indispensable part of the summers, sun-scare often dampens your spirits when outdoors. Although sun is an important source of vitamin D, which is responsible for strengthening your bones and preventing a host of other bone related disorders, overexposure can cause more harm than good.

It has been estimated that for wheatish complexioned people, a daily dose of 30 minutes of sun light is enough. But if exposure for longer durations is inevitable, here’s what you can do to minimize its ill effects:

Wear for Sun
Give special attention to what you wear during summers, for your clothes can play an important role in how much harm the sun can do to you. While spending long hours outdoors, make sure that you cover up as much area as possible with light colored clothing, made of linen or cotton. Make sure that your clothes are loose and allow sufficient air to circulate.

While nylons and silks are a strict NO, make sure that you take your glares along, for your eyes need protection too. Also, remember to cover your heads with a wide brimmed hat.

Care for Your Skin
Before stepping out make sure that you cover all potentially exposed body parts with a good sunscreen. Any sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 should solve the purpose. But if you reside on the mountains you will need a higher SPF, say between 30 and 40.

Mind the Time
The sun rays tend to be the strongest around 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is the time that you should avoid staying out for too long, since you run a higher risk of burning yourself at these times than at other times of the day.

Use Some Shade
Grab some shade to stay out of the sun, whenever possible. Any shaded area such as tree or a roof will do. If nothing is available, make sure you carry your own umbrella.

Try Natural Solutions
The sunscreens available in the market are made up of numerous chemicals. You could therefore switch to natural sunscreens found in your daily diet. A healthy diet is the best way of avoiding the ill effects of sun. Make fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants an essential part of your daily diet to stay beautiful even after being exposed to the sun.

Having a glass of juice made from carrots, beetroot, and apple is said to provide you natural protection against sun’s harmful rays, whether you apply sunscreen or not while venturing out. Topical application of these vitamin and antioxidant-rich foods can also generate the desired results.

Opt for Vitamin Supplements
If your diet is unable to fulfill your daily needs of vitamins, consider having vitamin supplements. These vitamin supplements too aid in providing you the necessary protection against the harmful sun rays.

Choose a vitamin supplement that provides for your body’s daily requirement of:

• Vitamin C
• Vitamin E
• Beta carotene and
• Catotenoids

But it would be best if you could find a way of consuming these vitamins and antioxidants in their natural forms rather than in the form of supplements.

These tips should equip you well to face the sun undeterred.