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By: Sarah Hofstedt, CSUN Public Health Intern
Sun protection is essential nowadays. California has an almost year-round sunny season, and because sun damage is cumulative, we have to be sure to protect our skin and eyes. Sunscreen is a good start, but there are other ways to increase your defenses against sun damage.
- Avoid direct sun between 10 AM and 4 PM. This is when harmful ultraviolet rays are at their most potent. Try to stand or sit in the shade.
- Wear protective clothing. No, you don’t have to be covered head to toe, but you can put on a wide brim hat to help shield your face from the sun. Long sleeves can prevent a farmer’s tan, and sunglasses with UV protection are an absolute necessity to keep eye damage at bay.
- If you wear makeup, pick products with SPF values in addition to your regular sunscreen. Many moisturizers, foundations, concealers, and even setting sprays are made with skin-protecting ingredients. Alone they are not effective enough against sun damage, but together they can boost your resistance to sun damage.
Take a trick from the ladies of the 18th century and carry a parasol. With a parasol or umbrella, standing in line for an outdoor event or strolling nature on a sunny day becomes a fanciful affair. As an added bonus, umbrellas can also be used to scare away strange animals.