Tips to be smart about sun protection

Overexposure to the sun can result in wrinkles, age spots and Skin cancer. Excessive sun exposure makes your skin tough and leathery and adds years to your actual age. However Skin can be protected year-round by implementing a variety of skin-protecting tips and techniques given in this slideshow!

Meenakshi Chaudhary
Written by:Meenakshi ChaudharyPublished at: May 06, 2014

Reduce Exposure to Sun

Reduce Exposure to Sun
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The best choice for protection against sun is to avoid sun when it's too intense. Go outside only in the morning and evening. If you still have to go out during daytime, wear a cap or a hat, long sleeve shirts, and preferably glasses to protect your skin and eyes.

Use Sunscreen

Use Sunscreen
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Sunscreen is a useful product for summers however choosing the right one is very important. Use a sunscreen that contains compounds like zinc, titanium dioxide, avobenzone, mexoryl SX. All these compounds will stay on without being absorbed into the skin.

Reapply SPF less than 50+

Reapply SPF less than 50+
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SPF higher than 50+ can give you a false sense of protection. You shouldn't stay longer in the sun even with higher SPF with only one application. Use SPF less than 50+ and make sure that you reapply it regularly throughout the day.  

Use Water Resistant Protection for Pool

Use Water Resistant Protection for Pool
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Water and sweat decrease the longevity of your sunscreen while you are swimming or exercising in the sun. Using water resistant sunscreens will increase the amount of protection when you are in the water or sweating.  

Avoid Sunscreen with Vitamin A

Avoid Sunscreen with Vitamin A
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Recent studies suggest that when Vitamin A is placed on the skin, it may increase your risk for tumors and lesions. Also avoid sunscreens with Oxybenzone, a synthetic form of estrogen that can get absorbed right into your skin and upset your normal hormone balance.

Don't Skip Sunscreen in Good Weather

Don't Skip Sunscreen in Good Weather
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Since UVA can make it through cloud cover and burn your skin, be sure to utilize sun protection and cover up even on cloudy days.

Don't Use Sunscreen on Infants

Don't Use Sunscreen on Infants
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Sunscreen is not recommended for use on infants. Use shade and clothing as primary defense for infants less than 6 months old as their skin is not mature enough to protect them from UV damage.

Don't Use Sprays and Powders

Don't Use Sprays and Powders
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Using sunscreen in the form of sprays and powders forms small droplets in the air that you can breathe in while applying. Such intake may not be good for your health.

Look for the Shady Spots

Look for the Shady Spots
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Instead of exposing yourself to sun, create shady spots to play. Encourage the kids to seek out the shady spots during peak hours. Image Courtesy : Getty Images

Monitor the Moles

Monitor the Moles
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Keep examine your own skin at a regular period of time for any non-healing sore or bump of any color, a changing mole or a new mole that is irregular in shape or color. Image Courtesy : Getty Images

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