SPF Coverage a Must in Summertime Months

As we enter the homestretch for the month of July, we begin to realize that the dog days of summer aren't too far off and before we know it we'll be packing up our Labor Day BBQ gear and saying goodbye to the Summer of 2010. As this realization begins to set in, people will be scrambling to enjoy as much outdoor time as they possibly can during the second half of the summer. Some will gather poolside, while others will make pilgrimages to both nearby and far off beach settings. There will be cookouts, hiking excursions, gardening endeavors, camping trips, and 5K runs to take part in. All fun stuff, and most of us will try to cram in as much of it as our busy schedules will possibly allow for during the next seven weeks. One thing however is very important to remember when venturing outdoors to enjoy what has been one of the hottest summer seasons on record. While most people seem to remember to drink water and stay hydrated while taking in the summer heat, there are still far too many individuals who neglect to wear the necessary sunscreen to protect themselves from the sun's dangerous rays.

Most of us can remember back to a time when people coated themselves in baby oil or slick tanning grease before baking themselves beside a pool or on a sandy beach, but today most people realize the potential danger of skin cancer and other ailments that can result from over exposure to the sun's radiation. Still, while most people aren't foolish enough to oil-up before prolonged exposure to the sun, there are plenty of people who neglect to wear SPF sunscreen that offers the appropriate protection they need. It is of the utmost importance that you not only wear sunscreen but that you wear sunscreen with the appropriate SPF protection and that you apply it properly in all situations.

While there are thousands of products that claim to offer SPF protection, they are not all created equally and it is important to know the facts when choosing a sunscreen to guard against the potentially hazardous effects of overexposure to sun rays. First, it is of the highest importance that you choose a sunscreen product with a minimum SPF of '15'. Any less than that can present a number of issues, including a need to reapply lotion more often than is convenient or even realistically feasible. Second, some SPF sunscreens protect only against UVB sunlight; preventing a visible sunburn but failing to protect against the deeper core skin damage caused by UVA radiation. It is very important to choose an SPF product with both UVA and UVB protection. Be careful of products designated with an SPF beyond '50+', as these often offer very little protection against harmful UVA. Third, you should choose a product that is waterproof if you plan on going for a dip in the pool, lake, or ocean (or even if you perspire a good deal) because there are many products that will wash off easily and fail to protect you under such circumstances. It is significant to protect yourself when swimming because sunlight is drawn to water by its reflective properties and you can be unwittingly overexposed to sunlight radiation while lounging around in the cool water and you'd never know it until it was too late. Along these same lines, it is important to reapply sunscreen upon exiting the water, even if it's designated as "waterproof". Finally, while it is important to apply sunscreen that covers all exposed areas of your body's flesh, you should not over-apply the SPF product too liberally. Many sunscreens contain potentially harmful hormone disruptors such as oxybenzone or other chemicals that some medical professionals warn may cause skin conditions or diseases of their own if applied in a gratuitous manner. It is better to reapply later, than it is to slather yourself excessively in sunscreen. Still, it is certainly important to achieve full coverage. One way in which this can sometimes be done without over-applying is by using a spray-on SPF sunscreen which helps to obtain complete coverage without over-saturation.

These are just a few tips to insure that you remain safe when out in the sun over the next few weeks. Whether you're at the beach, lounging in the park, cultivating your green thumb, or taking part in a mid-day run -- be sure to practice proper sun exposure safety. Apply sunscreen to keep you and your family safe so that you can go on enjoying many more summers for years to come!