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What's the Deal with: Polarized Sunglasses
Spending a lot of time outside is a MUST in the summer (with sunscreen, of course!), and wearing sunglasses is a great way to protect your eyes from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, which can lead to the development of cataracts.
Personally, I love to be near the water, on a boat or a beach, or poolside, and the water can make a killer bright glare when the sun reflects off of it.
If the glare bothers you (how could it not?), then you'll want to get a pair of sunglasses that have polarized lenses.
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Get in Gear: Personal UV Monitor
There are two ways in which a lot of us don't get the most out of our sunscreen: We don't apply enough and we don't apply often enough. For the first problem, you should apply at least an ounce of sunscreen. For the second issue?
Protect Your Peepers With UV-Rated Shades
Sunshine in your eyes can do more than make you cry; UV rays, both A and B, can cause serious damage to your baby blues. Since you can't put sunscreen on your eyelids or cover your cornea with zinc oxide, you need to protect your peepers with quality shades that are UV rated. It is recommended that you wear shades the provide 99 percent UVB protection and 95 percent UVA protection, but many sunglasses offer 100 percent protection from both.
Get Your Butt in Gear: UV Rash Guard by O'Neill
Nothing is worse than snorkeling for hours on the first day of your vacation and spending the rest of your precious days in paradise dealing with a very sunburned back. What you need to pack for your sunny, swimmy vacation is a rash guard.
You may be saying to yourself "Fit, I am not worried about a rash.
Are Base Tans Healthy?
It's a common belief that before heading to the beach or the tropics, you should take a trip to the tanning salon to get a base tan. Even though it seems like a good idea to prepare your skin for sun exposure by hitting the electric beach, according to the Mayo Clinic, there's no proof that a few sessions at the tanning salon will prevent an outdoor sunburn. Keep in mind that ultraviolet light, whether from the sun or a sunlamp, damages your skin.
Avoid Sun Poisoning
When you're out in the sun, which is bound to happen with all this gorgeous warm weather we're having, you've got to be careful not to get sun poisoning, or Photodermatitis, as it is scientifically called. Sun poisoning is a condition that develops when your skin over reacts to UV rays from the sun.
What causes it?
Cool Healthy Gadget: Melanoma Bracelet
It's not always easy to remember how long you've been exposed to harmful UV rays, especially if you're passing time playing at the beach, taking in an outdoor workout or hike, or chasing after your kids at the park.
These I Will Reflect bracelets change color (from white to purple) when exposed to harmful UV rays. Plus, I think they're kind of cute too!
Watch Out For: Sun Poisoning
So you've been out in the sun and you wore sunscreen, but unfortunately you forgot to reapply. You ended up with a nasty burn on your face and as you take a closer look, parts of your cheek appear kind of blistery and yellowish in color. What you've got is a case of sun poisoning (also called Photodermatitis, for those who want to impress their friends).
Indoor Tanning Is Out
I've already talked to you about how harmful it is to use a tanning bed to get a base tan before the summer (or ever for that matter), but I'm not the only one trying to get the message out. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) has just launched a series of Public Service Announcements with the motto, "Indoor tanning is out."
These PSAs are trying to make people aware that just like the sun, the rays from tanning beds also cause melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer.
Tomatoes For Sunburn?
Tomatoes might just be my favorite "veggie that is really a fruit." And now I have yet another reason to love them. It appears that eating tomatoes can improve the skins ability to protect against UV rays, which can cause premature aging of the skin as well as skin cancer.
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