That being said, we are still in Africa and our sun is notably intense so the necessary precautionary measures should be exercised in order to enjoy the benefits of the sun without the damage that comes with over-indulgence or recklessness.
Time Sunbathing is an enjoyable but harmful pastime. The sun is harshest between 10am and 3pm, so try and stay out of the sun during these times. SunscreenGranted, staying out of the sun may not always be feasible so if you must be in the sun, use sunscreen that will protect you from the harmful UVB and UVA rays of the sun. It is advisable to buy one with a minimum sun protection factor (SPF) of 30.
For the ladies, some of our moisturisers and make-up contain an SPF of 15 or more, so these are a prudent choice. Being dark-skinned does not exempt you from the harmful effects of being in the sun without protection.
Yes, dark skin is less prone to skin cancer due to its high melanin content but the sun can cause premature ageing. If you are dark-skinned you may develop skin cancer on the soles of your feet or the palms of your hands because they contain less melanin. For some, sunscreen may cause your skin to break out but that is no reason to put yourself at risk so use an oil-free sunscreen instead.
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Sun HatsThere are many fashionable hats out there so we can maintain our style and stay protected. There are fedoras, panama hats and floppy hats, all of which can offer protection from the sun. Obviously, the larger the rim, the more coverage you get.
My maternal grandmother is an avid gardener but she never ventures into her garden without her sunhat, ever. She turns 86 this year but you would think she was younger because of her skin condition.
She has allowed herself to age naturally and has wrinkles but her skin looks great for her age. My paternal grandmother lives in the rural areas and tills the land for food so she too spends a considerable amount of time in the sun, except she does so with a headscarf instead of a hat.
She is younger than my maternal grandmother but her wrinkles are far more pronounced, making her look much older, despite her smaller frame, than my maternal grandmother. Of course there are other factors that are in my maternal grandmother’s favour: genes, diet as well as a good skin care regimen, but those will be explored in another article.
WaterIt helps your body get rid of toxins, aids the absorption of nutrients, and rehydrates you plus many other benefits, such as clear, supple skin. Drink up, it is only 2 litres per day after all.
ALWAYS KEEP AN UMBRELLA IN YOUR BAG
So you may not have found the perfect hat for you or it may not be possible for you to wear your hat as you walk to work or wherever, so why not keep a small umbrella that you can tuck into your handbag and open it up when you are up and about? When the rainy season starts it will also keep you from getting wet.
They come in funny colours as well as chromatic colours so you still look chic when you are dressed in your corporate attire. Sunglasses
The darker the better because they will be more effective in keeping out those harmful UVA and UVB rays. Last year my mother discovered some growths in her eyes close to the pupil of her eyes.
The ophthalmologist said they were a result of too much exposure to sunlight and encouraged her to wear sunglasses. The growth was operated on but the recuperation was agonising. She has however healed completely.
I noticed a similar growth in my eye so I have resorted to ensuring it does not grow large enough to require surgery, so wherever I go out, I take my stunners with me, so should you.
If you are still in you twenties or early thirties, the damage that the sun has on your skin may not be apparent but once you hit your late forties and fifties it becomes very visible. Once again, skin care regimens, quality of sleep, diet plus many more also play an important role but do not disregard what the sun can do to you.
