How To Beat The May-Weather

Manny Pacquiao if you are reading this then I am sorry but you are not going to find any secret tips or insider knowledge that will help you beat “May-weather” here, well not unless you are about to book a sunny holiday abroad with your 100 million plus earnings from this Saturdays bout.

The Sun has been generously gracing us with her presence this last few weeks and it’s only going to get hotter in May. Us Brits love the Sun and while a lot of other counties take the hot weather for granted we treasure every minute she decides to play out. And why not? The beer gardens fill up, the barbeques come out and everyone wears colourful sunny clothes.

Staying Safe in the Sun

If you are planning to have a bit of a garden party, barbeque or just generally going to spend a lot of time in the sun then you will need to protect yourself from its harmful rays. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause:

• Premature ageing of the skin
• Sunburnt skin
• Dryness and itching
• Eye irritation and cataracts
• Bumpy rashes
• Skin cancer

Although many of us know the dangers of sun exposure, we can get a little lazy when it comes to protecting our skin. Some people ironically even choose to expose themselves to the harmful UV rays to make themselves ‘look healthier’.

So what are the best ways to protect yourself?

Cover Up:

One of the easiest things that you can do to protect your skin is to cover up. Although this is usually the opposite of what many people want to do, it is one of the best methods so stay safe.  The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends wearing hats and clothing made of dark, tightly woven materials as these are better at absorbing the harmful UV rays.

Shade

During the hours of 11:00 – 15:00 when the sun is at its hottest it is a good idea to find some shade from time to time just to cool down and get a little cover before venturing back out into the heat.

Sun Cream

Make sure to apply plenty of sun cream, especially to areas that are not often exposed to the sun on a daily basis. It is recommended that you use a SPF of 15 and above, however the higher the SPF the better protection you will have. Make sure to apply a generous coating – not using enough cream can reduce the effectiveness by up to 50%.

Protect Sensitive Areas

As mentioned above it is especially important to protect sensitive regions. It can be easy to forget areas like the tops of ears, nose, top of chest, hairline and even your feet if you are wearing sandals or going barefooted.

Wear Sunglasses

Long term exposure to sunlight can increase your chances of developing cataracts and directly looking at the Sun can permanently scar the retina. Using sunglasses that block out the harmful UV rays is the best way to protect your eyes.

Don’t Get Fooled

Even though you might not be able to see the Sun due to cloud cover don’t be fooled into thinking that you are not in any danger from Sun damage. Ultraviolet rays can just as easily penetrate clouds and cause harm to your skin.

Remember if you don’t want to look like you have gone 12 rounds with the likes of Mayweather and Pacquiao then make sure to take the necessary precautions above in order to stay safe in the sun.