Getting out and about on a beautiful day is something that is always precious, even more so when the warmer months can feel as limited as they do here in Canada. You should enjoy the sun, whether in town or in warmer climes, but remember that too much of a good thing can turn seriously bad – and this is especially true of too much exposure to sunlight.
Sunburn is the most obvious and in the short-term, most painful, of those issues. Painful redness, peeling, and blistering are the unfortunate result of too much ultraviolet light at one time. Remember that sunscreen is your friend and should be reapplied regularly throughout the day. Sunscreen is rated via an SPF number which measures the fraction of UV rays that reach the skin while it’s applied. For SPF 30 that would 1/30th of the UV radiation, and SPF 60 it would be 1/60th. Choose the SPF that’s right for where and for how long you’re using it. SPF 60 may sound too strong but if you’re going to be sitting by the beach and pool for a seven day vacation it may be necessary to prevent a burn.
Heat exhaustion can be an issue as well. It can grow gradually over several hours or happen in a few minutes, and can cause dizziness, tiredness, and a headache. If you’re feeling the symptoms of heat exhaustion try lying down, cooling your skin via water or a fan, and drinking plenty of fluids. Make sure to address this as soon as you feel symptoms, as leaving heat exhaustion untreated can lead to confusion, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
There are also two major long term problems of too much sun. The first, and most serious, is skin cancer. The more time you spend in the sun, whether consistent or intermittent, may lead to the development of a form of skin cancer. As with sunburn, sunscreen is your best preventative weapon. The second major problem is deterioration of the skin. Basically, too much sun can lower your skin’s elasticity and promote premature aging, resulting in an extreme of ‘tough’ or ‘leathery’ skin. Once again sunscreen, and staying out of the sun, will help.
A day in the sun can be a healthy and enjoyable experience provided you take proper precautions. However, if you perhaps spent a little too much time in the sun over a long period, and your face is looking a little more weathered than you would like, May Blossom Spa offers a range of facials that will help restore elasticity and rejuvenate your skin. Contact us today.