Protection from the sun is always key when traveling anywhere warm, especially the beach. Did you know you can actually get sunburned while in the water? (There’s a good story there, ask us next time you see us.) To protect against UVB rays, you have to consistently be at around ten feet underwater! And on the beach, sometimes sunscreen isn’t enough. So what do you do when waging war against a star whose interior can reach 15 million degrees Celsius?
One helpful tip may be finding sunscreen that will actually be effective. Using sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB, SPF 30 or higher, and water resistant will help keep you safe. Additionally, the American Academy of Dermatology Association suggests that only 25-50% of people use enough sunscreen. The average adult should use a shot glass full to cover their entire body! Don’t forget, when you are outdoors all day, you can follow all these steps and it still not be enough. You need to be reapplying sunscreen at least every two hours (and if you are swimming and sweating, then way more often).
Besides sunscreen, did you know that you can use specific types of clothing to protect from the sun? Retailers use the UPF rating scale, which measures the fabric’s effectiveness against UVA and UVB rays. A UPF rating of 15-20 is good, 25-35 is great, and 40-50+ is excellent. SwimZip has great sun protective beachwear, and try a wide brimmed sun hat like the ones at Coolibar. Wherever you go, don’t let sun damage stop you and be prepared!