How to Protect Yourself from the Sun While Enjoying the Beach

If there is one thing that is synonymous with summer, its the beach. Whether its the crashing waves on an ocean shore, or a peaceful lake in landlocked states, a day at the beach is America's favorite way to enjoy the summer season. The beach is perfect for families seeking a relaxing and fun time and for younger adults who want to spend time with a group of friends. Older people enjoy the tranquility of wave after wave crashing while for teens the beach is the best place to meet friends or make new acquaintances.

While enjoying the beach is a great way to enjoy the summer season, you should be sure to take precautions to protact yourself from the dangers of the sun.

You want to be sure that you are suing sunscreen of at least 15 SPF (Sun Protection Factor). You should also reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming. Keep in mind that even sunscreen that is 'waterproof' can still come off after sweating, toweling off etc.

Other tips for protecting yourself from the sun include wearing a large hat to protect ears, face and neck, areas that are particularly susceptible to sun damage. Sun glasses that block 99 percent or more of UV radiation will also help to protect your eyes, which can develop cataracts and other medical issues if exposed to too much UV radiation. When purchasing sun glasses, be sure to read the packaging to make sure they provide at least 99 percent UV protection.

Particularly if you have young children, you should consider bringing a sun umbrella with you so that you can alternate between being in the sun and being under shade. If you are worried about sun damage or are particularly light skinned, you should probably limit how much time you are in the sun form 10am - 4pm because the sun is strongest between these times. While umbrellas and canopies will cut down on the amount of UV rays, keep in mind that they do not offer complete protection.

Wearing loose fitting clothing that is tightly woven will help protect arms and legs from sun overexposure.