Dartford encourages Safe Suncare this summer…
The mercury is rising and by June the sun in Britain is as strong as in many European holiday resorts and, without protection, your skin is at risk of immediate and long-term damage every time you venture into sunlight.
Even though the risk of sun damage is at its greatest in the summer the UVA (ageing) rays, unlike the UVB (burning) rays can still reach you in the autumn and winter months too. So here are a few suncare tips to help keep you and your family safe through the summer months.
- Apply your suncare product at least 15 minutes before going into the sun. This allows your sunscreen to settle
- Always re-apply sun protection products every 2-3 hours. Sunscreens may rub off and should be re-applied frequently and, particularly after showering/bathing and after excessive sweating
- Try to avoid midday sun
- Always apply sun screen to vulnerable areas of the body including the back of the neck, neckline, ears and feet
Safe Suncare for children
- Children under 12 months should not be exposed to direct sunlight
- High factor suncare preparations (SPF – sun protection factor) should always be applied to children whether directly exposed to the sun or in the shade and a generous application will help prevent easy burning
- Ensure children wear wide brimmed or peaked hats and loose fitting clothing with a dense weave when in the sun
- Care should be taken to ensure children do not become too hot
Tips for Hay Fever Sufferers
While the hay fever season is in full swing these few basic lifestyle tweaks will help minimise your hay fever symptoms.
Keep an eye on the pollen count and stay indoors as much as you can when it is at its highest
- Wear sunglasses with large lenses or wrap-around versions when the pollen count is high to help stop pollen getting in your eyes and causing uncomfortable irritation
- When taking a car journey try to keep car windows closed and switch on the air conditioning to prevent pollen entering the car
- Keep bedroom doors and windows closed mid-morning and early evening when pollen levels peak
- Avoid areas such as parks or green open spaces, when the pollen count is highest, particularly in the early evening when there’s a lot of pollen floating in the air
- Get someone else to mow the lawn and don’t lie on freshly cut grass
- Shower and wash your hair after being outdoors, especially if you’ve been in the countryside
More information about hayfever: www.netdoctor.co.uk
