A Cautionary Word on Summer Sun and Heat

(Summer is the time for fun on the beach, at the swimming pool, on the playing fields and even at your backyard. Thus you must take caution to protect yourself from the rays and heat of the sun.)

The summer season is upon us, and in these coming three to four months Americans like to go to the beach or to the swimming pool and lie on a towel and soak in the rays of the sun, in order to have a boastful sun tan.

But as the strong sun can produce a glorious tan, it can do other things, which is harmful to the skin. According to the opinion of medical experts, "The hot sun can be very dangerous to health. In the hot summer months, people should pay attention to what they eat, what they wear, and above all should stay out of the sun as much as possible."

During the summer months one tends to wear light clothing, usually of cotton material. Many have a false impression it will give sufficient protection against the sun. Wrong, it does not! The sun's rays do penetrate the fabric that only provides twenty-five per-cent protection. Natural fibers, off course, give more protection than synthetic fibers, but none will give total protection from the rays of the sun. Also a wide brimmed hat will assist in warding off the sun's rays as much as possible.

The sun's rays are especially harmful to the skin. If you plan to soak in the warmth of the sun at the beach or at the swimming pool do it when the sun is at its weakest in the morning hours until 10 A.M. or 12 noon or after five in the afternoon. Avoid the peak heat of the early afternoon.

It is advisable to use a good sun tan lotion with sunscreen. A minimum of 15 SPF (sun protection factor) is recommended by skin specialists. They advise a sun tan lotion of SPF 30 for prolonged periods of time outside, such as enjoying a swim at the beach, swinging the clubs at golf, and even working at your garden at home. The specialists recommend SBF 50 and higher for fair-skinned and redheaded people. You must apply the lotion 15 to 30 minutes before you step outside into the sunny day; reapply it at least every two hours.
Note: If you are swimming or engaged in sport outdoors, put on the cream more frequently due to the removal of the lotion from your skin by the water of the beach or pool, or even from perspiration.

One of the most serious effects of too much exposure to the sun can result in melanoma, a form of cancer of the skin. Also two much exposure to the sun

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