December holidays in the Lowveld are associated with sunny days to get that perfect tan and soak in all the vitamin D of the sun’s rays. Unfortunately the perfect tan and some fun in the sun can quickly escalate to harsh sunburns which will leave one looking like a pink lobster instead of a bronze statue.
According to Steven Mavromatis, retail manager at Mopani Crossing, prevention is definitely better than cure. Sunburn can get ugly quickly and can leave your skin red, irritated, itchy and as dry as the Kalahari Desert.
One of the main problems is that most people are still vastly ignorant when it comes to getting the best protection against the sun’s harmful ultra-violet rays.
Mavromatis also mentioned the importance of regularly applying a good-quality sunscreen with a high sun- protection factor.
“There are a number of different options to choose from. I would recommend a sunscreen with a high sun-protection factor (SPF) rating. A higher SPF rating increases the protection from the sun. It will be the best choice to pick a sunscreen with a 40 to 50 SPF factor,” he said.
It is also of utmost importance to keep reapplying after taking a swim or during physical activity as sweat has the tendency to diminish some of the sunscreen that sits on the skin.
Sunscreen is available in a number of different forms such as lotions, creams and sprays that dry instantly and stick to the skin’s surface.
Mavromatis pointed out that everyone is susceptible to the dangers of the sun’s
UV light.
“No one has resistance to the sun and everyone gets affected, whether you have pale or darker skin. It is just not that easily visible on darker skin, but just as dangerous,” he exclaimed.
It is vital that children get into the habit of religiously applying sunscreen from an early age. Excessive sun exposure is not healthy and can lead to skin cancer and early skin ageing.
Mavromatis also emphasised the importance of taking the different weather conditions into account.
“Many people have this idea that you do not need to apply sunscreen when the sky is overcast. The sun’s rays still penetrate the skin through the clouds and this enhances the risk factor. One must also take into account the reflection factor that occurs near water as the rays can hit spots that are less likely to get burned otherwise.
The Skin Cancer Federation of South Africa (SCFSA) also encourages the importance of keeping out of the sun in the middle of the day. If your shadow is shorter than you are tall then it is time to go into the shade.
It is also vital to wear protective clothing such as hats, sunglasses and shirts to protect the skin from further damage. Also apply enough sunscreen to exposed areas of the body which are often an afterthought such as earlobes, toes, underarms and the back of legs.
Home remedies for post-sunburn sufferers:
• Apply moisturiser.
• Take a bath with baking soda and oatmeal. The oatmeal and baking soda helps to draw out the sting from the burn.
• Aloe vera gel has also been proven to heal sunburn and other skin-related problems. Apply the gel or juice of an aloe vera plant on the affected area.
• Drink water or any form of fluid that will rehydrate the skin. It is extremely important to stay hydrated as your body has lost a lot of its fluids due to the sunburn.
