One cannot avoid sun all through the summer or all through the year. People do walk out during the day as it stimulates hormone production, promotes skin regeneration and the synthesis of Vitamin D. Along with all the goodness which it gives the sun also gives you ugly tan lines, sunspots, burns and premature wrinkles. But the worst that could happen is caused by ultraviolet rays, which cause melanoma, the most common kind of skin cancer. Extra precautions should be taken when stepping out to the naked sun. The basics include a hat with at least 5 inch brim shading your face, cotton or linen clothes to cover the body and sunglasses to protect your eyes. If these basics are followed the impact of sun burns and crow lines can be reduced.

The best defence is to avoid sun from noon to 4:00 pm, but if it is unavoidable then use a sun block lotion with sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 20 or more. While swimming the SPF cover should increase to 40 or more. Apply the lotion at least 20 minutes more leaving and reapply every three to four hours. UVA rays cause temporary tanning and disappears in a few days. But UVB rays causes permanent tanning that makes the skin darker for years. Dark complexioned people are also advised to protect themselves against tanning. Though they are naturally protected from sun tan due to the high melanin production they should also use a sun block.

While protection during summer is the prime concern, there are other problems also which need to be handled. In areas where the humidity level is high, the skin tends to release 15 per cent oil than in normal conditions, causing acne and blackheads. To avoid them, the only thing which can be done is to use toners, cleaners and soap-free gels. Cleansing face at least twice or thrice a day can stop skin from feeling oily. Some of them may think hard about the use of these cosmetics, but the best would be to drink at least 8 glasses of water to flush out the toxins and having plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables.

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