How to protect yourself effectively from the sun?
As summer approaches, it's important to keep in mind the advice of dermatologists: the sun and its rays are dangerous if you remain exposed for too long. Ultraviolet rays and the damage they can cause to our skin are not the only problems posed by the sun, and there are many solutions to take care and stay well protected.
This guide provides you with some tips for optimal protection against solar radiation: how to cover your body, protect your eyes and skin, and take advantage of a parasol to provide shade and coolness to outdoor spaces.
The dangers of sun exposure
The sun is seductive at first glance: bright, joyful, it provides the body with a dose of vitamin D through its rays and promises the face an aesthetic and harmonious tan.
However, exposing oneself to the sun at the height of an August day risks, above all, experiencing immediate and superficial discomfort. The sun's rays dazzle and sting the eyes, the heat makes one sweat and causes drowsiness. But beyond these effects that are quickly felt, the sun produces harmful results on the body in the medium and long term, against which it is essential to be as protected as possible.
If you stay in the sun uncovered for too long, the heat can cause heatstroke, which can lead to headaches or vomiting. Heatstroke is especially common among people with thinning hair, but no one is immune, and children are particularly vulnerable. Sweating, on the other hand, can lead to dehydration, which in turn can cause dizziness and fainting. It's important to stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water during heat waves.
The greatest health risks are those related to the skin. Indeed, while the idea of basking in the sun on the beach is appealing to many vacationers, it's crucial to keep in mind the dark side of tanning: sunburn. Solar radiation contains two types of ultraviolet rays , UVA and UVB. The latter affects melanin: UVB rays are responsible for tanning the skin. But UVA rays are the most numerous and the most harmful. They are responsible for the dreaded burns that must be treated with Biafine, but they are also responsible, in the long term, for most skin cancers.
Besides cancer, high-dose solar radiation causes premature skin aging, permanent spots, and other epidermal damage that is best avoided at all costs.
Fortunately, there are multiple methods of protection to avoid the undesirable effects of the sun.
Protecting your body directly: the clothes, accessories and products to use
To eliminate any risk and protect your face and body from the sun, it's essential to use the right equipment. Special attention should be paid to protecting a child's skin, which is more sensitive than an adult's.
To avoid harsh glare, filtering sunglasses are the best choice. Category 3 and 4 sunglasses provide good protection against ultraviolet rays, whether at the beach in summer or in the mountains in winter. Eyes aren't the only part of the face that needs protection: a wide-brimmed hat provides shade and helps to mitigate the impact of the sun's rays on the skin. Never mind the hairstyle: health comes before hair.
Although the heat encourages wearing short clothing, dermatologists advise selecting long-sleeved clothing and light but covering trousers for long hikes in full sun.
If your skin is exposed due to swimming or sunbathing at the beach, you must apply sunscreen. Various products are available in pharmacies and supermarkets; the type of sunscreen to choose depends on your skin type. Fair, translucent skin requires a sunscreen with a high SPF, while darker skin can use a lower SPF.
The products also depend on age: a child or an elderly person is more fragile, and their skin therefore requires a more protective cream.
The parasol, an essential tool for sun protection
In France, some regions experience more intense solar radiation than others. Summer in Nord-Pas-de-Calais is less harsh than in Île-de-France, which in turn is less hot than in the south of France, such as in Provence.
Reducing the risk of getting sunburned is also possible simply by providing shade in the outdoor space where you spend the most time. While some places have natural shade provided by trees or existing structures such as pergolas, others require the addition of a parasol.
The beach, garden, or patio can be sheltered simply by installing a large parasol. This can be a straight, cantilever, or tilting parasol, depending on the layout of the space. Belveo's selection of models allows you to protect any type of area, according to your needs.
The parasol offers flexible use; it can be opened or closed depending on the weather conditions, and its position adjusted to follow the sun. If it has a wheeled or cross-shaped base, it can also be moved from one spot to another to suit the day's activities.
All parasol canopies offered by Belveo provide effective protection against ultraviolet rays: acrylic is recommended for professionals who make intensive use of the parasol, but olefin or polyester canvas are perfectly suited for private use , and their UPF index (equivalent to the SPF index of sunscreen) is sufficient to protect the skin from the sun.
For optimal use of your parasol, choose a location and angle that creates the widest possible shade for most of the day. The afternoon sun always poses the greatest risk of sunburn.
The structural protection provided by the parasol complements the physical protection provided by clothing, hats, sunglasses and sunscreen; these methods are complementary, and their combination limits the risks of skin cancer and aging.
Planning your outdoor activities during the summer
The best practices to adopt to avoid the harmful effects of the sun are simple. It's important to limit sun exposure throughout the day, especially during the hottest hours, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Creating a shaded area with a parasol provides a refuge to retreat to regularly.
We must remember to reapply sunscreen regularly, especially for young children or when water has washed away the previous layer of cream.
Vigilance is essential for oneself and for the health of loved ones, to prevent exposure to sunlight from having adverse consequences on the body.
