Print this pageAvoiding Sunburn and Sunstroke whilst on holiday
Sunstroke (Heatstroke) and Heat Exhaustion
In the heat of the day, wise up and do what the locals do, relax and take it easy in the high temperatures. Don't go on that hike around the city's tourist attractions, save that for early evening when it cools down a bit! Try and wear a hat, and remember to drink plenty of water, if you don't keep yourself hydrated then you can become light headed, nauseated and your body will struggle to regulate its temperature causing sweats, fainting and sometimes convulsions.
Both heatstroke and heat exhaustion can be dangerous. So at the first signs of fatigue, headache or dizziness (due to fluid loss) take medical advice.
Remember - always respect the sun and always have water, not ice-cold, to hand.
Suncare - Enjoy the sun safely
You've endured hundreds of Grey days waiting for the chance to go on holiday, stretch out in the sun and get that all-important tan. Remember though, pink shoulders are not a current fashion trend! So here's some tips on what happens exactly to your poor pale body when the sun hits it!
So, what happens in sunshine?
It’s a fabulous source of vitamin D, its makes you feel happy, relaxed and that the world just can't get any better….but too much of a good thing really can be dangerous where the power of the sun is concerned!
The sun gives off powerful ultraviolet (UV) radiation waves. Sounds serious, yes? And it can be. The rays that tan (and can burn and cause skin cancer) are known as UVB and UVA.
What happens when you tan? Why take it gently?
Sunshine makes skin develop melanin, a natural substance, which provides a small amount of protection. It is melanin that causes the skin to change colour, which results in a tan. Everyone has differing levels of melanin, naturally dark skinned people have more, whilst pale people with freckles tend to have less. The important thing is, that whatever level you are, melanin still takes time to 'kick in'. And you will only start to see the result from your day of sunbathing 24-36 hours later! This is why you just can't get a tan in a couple of days - no matter how long you stay out! The good news though is that your tan will still be developing on the plane home!
So take it easy, especially in the first few days when your skin is still taking time to develop the melanin. Know your skin type and accommodate it. Sunburn is painful and whilst we all know it can lead to cancer, so can sunbathing too much year after year.
Not sunburn!
First the bad news - Permanent and irreversible skin damage can be caused by ALL levels of sunburn, not just the serious.
Now the science - UVB rays hit the surface of the skin and start a reaction within 15 minutes, this then continues developing for up to 72 hours following exposure. Whilst UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and cause lasting damage…..Yes girls, these are the rays that give you wrinkles! They also, scarily, can lay the groundwork for future cases of skin cancer.
How can you make it safer?
You already know the common sense measures you can take, hopefully now you understand a little more about the science of it all, you will be prompted to follow all the advise you've learned
- RESPECT THE SUN
- Keep babies under 9 months out of direct sunlight and, even in the shade ensure, they have sun screen applied.
- Make sure children always Slip, Slap, Slop. SLIP on a long sleeved top, SLAP on a hat, and SLOP on a high factor sunscreen, oh and sunglasses wouldn't go amiss either!
- Don't use a sunscreen with less than a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Re-apply it regularly and always after swimming.
- There is a voluntary star system for UVA protection in sunscreens - more stars mean more protection
- Remember to apply more cream to areas where the skin is thinner, e.g. tops of ears and feet, lips, nose, boobs, and shoulders.
- The sun's effects can be magnified on water so if you're a water baby then use a water-resistant cream and re-apply after taking a dip. For those active all day, specialist sun screens are available that are more durable.
- all know about the siesta…..well take one, it helps you avoid the suns strongest rays (generally from noon until 15.00pm).
- Check the expiry date on any sun screen left over from last years holiday, as the effectiveness lessens over time. If you have sensitive skin and need a particular type of lotion - always get it before you depart, just in case you can't get in the resort.
- The sun is sneaky and its rays can get through thin fabrics and bounce off sand or water, so always make sure you apply sunscreen, even if you're sitting in the shade. This is especially true for children.
- Buy a good quality pair of sunglasses that block the UV rays. Not only are they good for the image, they can also help prevent wrinkles!
- Get into the habit of checking your position when sunbathing, you don't want one side more tanned than the other! And NEVER sleep in the sun, no matter how relaxed it makes you feel. If you do feel sleepy then tell someone who can check that you are still awake!
- Did you know that hair and scalp protection is now available? And not just in the guise of a hat. UV rays can also damage hair, making it dryer and it will also make your hair lighter. Great if you want that beach bum look, not so great if you've paid a fortune to have your hair coloured before coming on holiday! You can pick it up from good hairdressers or large pharmacists?
So there you go, Spotlights Top Sun Tips! Remember to take your time, build up slowly, use the correct sunscreen and you'll have a long lasting tan to wow them with back home! Enjoy!
n.b. The SPF refers to the protection against UVB (e.g. an SPF of 15 allows approximately 15 times longer sun exposure without burning than with no protection). The higher the SPF, the greater the protection. Also look out for sun screen that offers both UVB and UVA protection and double up!