If you live here in Florida, chances are you enjoy time spent outdoors. Florida is a very outdoor-oriented state as it has the benefit of beautiful year-round weather. Yes, we have winter, but it is generally mild. And, yes, we have hurricanes, but every state has its share of natural weather phenomena – earthquakes, wildfires, etc. Overall, our weather here is pretty hard to beat. However, without proper protection, your skin will pay a high price for your fun in the sun.
SUN DAMAGE
The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays that cause damage to our delicate skin. People often think of a tan as a positive experience with the sun and a sunburn as a negative experience. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Both tans and sunburns are forms of skin damage. Any change in the color of your skin is your skin’s attempt to fend off further damage.
In addition to coloring your skin, sun damage is also a cause of wrinkles, freckles, and fine lines. Of course, the natural aging process will result in fine lines and wrinkles eventually, but the sun will aid the process exponentially! You can’t name anyone who wants to look 80 when they’re 40!
Most importantly, sun damage can lead to skin cancer. The three major types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Melanoma can be fatal. Florida is only behind Hawaii in the highest rate of melanoma cases in the United States. It is imperative that, as a Florida resident, you visit a dermatologist annually to get checked for skin cancer. If you see any changes in your skin or moles prior to your next dermatology appointment, call the office immediately and set up an appointment as soon as possible. Don’t wait for your next routine appointment. Melanoma can be aggressive, and you don’t want to give it time to grow.
PREVENTING SUN DAMAGE
While you may not be able to completely prevent sun damage, you can definitely do your part to minimize it. Outdoor fun is healthy and important. The Vitamin D you receive from the sun is an essential nutrient. The sun also improves your mood as it naturally increases your serotonin levels. We are not recommending zero outdoor time! We are simply recommending some precautions for when you are enjoying our beautiful state.
PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
Hats and sunglasses are always an easy, stylish, and effective choice for sun protection. Additionally, clothing is now sold with built-in UV protection. Brands like Coolibar, Reel Legends, Salt Life, and more offer clothing with built-in UV protection! How easy is that? You have to put on clothes before you go outside anyways, so why not wear clothes that will help to protect your skin?
SUNSCREEN
This may seem like a “no-brainer,” but you would be surprised how many people forego the use of sunscreen, even in Florida! When choosing a sunscreen, choose a high SPF as it does offer more protection. However, do not be lulled into a false sense of security. If you do not follow the instructions and reapply it as directed, you will still get a bad sunburn. Additionally, if the UV index is high, then you are likely to burn even with sunscreen, so be cautious. The key to sunscreen is reapply, reapply, reapply!
AN UNEXPECTED FORM OF SUN PROTECTION
Our last suggestion for sun protection may surprise you. We recommend having your windows tinted in your vehicles and your home. Many people don’t realize that window tinting offers sun protection and blocks over 99% of harmful UV light. This protects you while you drive and while you are sitting in your favorite sunny spot in front of the living room window!
In addition to protecting your skin, window tinting also protects your car’s and home’s interiors. It helps to prevent fading and cracking of your car’s dashboard and upholstery. It protects your furniture, flooring, and window coverings from fading. But, of course, its most important role is protecting you!
Solar Solutions is locally owned and operated and is located in Vero Beach, FL. With almost 30 years in the window tinting industry, our owner, Brian Schauder, takes great pride in the products he offers, the service he provides his customers, and his customers’ satisfaction. His many return customers would tell you that Solar Solutions is the right choice for your window tinting needs!