The sun emits the strongest rays during the summer, so it goes
without saying you need to wear proper protection from harmful
ultraviolet, or UV rays. Too much sun can damage your skin,
resulting in wrinkles, painful sunburns, or even skin cancer. Most
women don't like to tan and so they need effective ways to keep
their skin fair. Here are some tips to protect your skin:
Before 9 AM
The summer sunshine feels the most comfortable in the morning
until 9 AM. Take advantage of it by getting up early and doing
morning exercise in the sun. Scientists say if you go outdoors
before 8 AM you don't have to wear sunscreen, as the ultraviolet
ray radiation before 8 AM is rather weak. But after 8 AM, sunscreen
is a must.
Sunscreen should be applied half an hour before going outdoors. And
what sunscreen you use depends on your skin tone and your outdoor
activities. A sunscreen with a SPF 8-12 may be fine for ordinary
skin, but light sensitive skin requires a SPF of 12-20. Ivory skin
should use sunscreen of over SPF 30.
When it comes to activities, SPF 15 is enough for staying inside
office buildings, while outdoor activities require over SPF 30 and
seaside activities will need water-proof sunscreen.
From 9 AM to 3 PM
The period between 9 AM and 3 PM is when the strongest
ultraviolet ray radiation occurs, so it's best to stay indoors if
possible. But if you need to go outside, clothing can also help you
avoid UV rays.
Pure cotton has a SPF value of as much as 15-40, then it comes
polyester light color clothes and the last is knitted and
light-colored clothes.
While having lunch, avoid light-sensitive food, which can
cause freckles. Such foods include caraway, leek, white turnip as
well as soy sauce. By contrast, some other food contains certain
sun-screen elements that can help you fight against UV rays. They
are white gourd, cauliflower, eel and strawberry.
The more time you spend in the sun working up a sweat, be sure
to reapply sunscreen periodically. For oily skin, attention should
be paid to the T-zone area and use oil absorbent pads to take away
the extra oil on the skin before applying sunscreen. For dry skin,
put some moisturizer on first.
After 6 PM
When the sun sets after 6 PM, it's time to go out and play
sports like basketball, badminton, and tennis. Because these are
intense sports, you may need to do some nighttime repair work on
your hair as well as your face.
Hair becomes particularly fragile in summer due to the increased
secretion of sebum and sweat, so it requires special care. Avoid
using shampoos containing ethanol or formaldehyde, and use those
moisturizing ones containing mint. Moreover, these shampoos should
have a Keratin Protector Factor (KPF), indicating the degree to
which the scalp is protected, above a KPF 2.
To help alleviate your facial skin from the sun's rays, a tomato
juice mask is a nice recipe. Dip a cotton facial pad into tomato
juice, apply it to your face and leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes.
This can help lighten the newly grown freckles. It's economical and
effective.
(China Daily April 26, 2007)
