Take Care Heading Out this Summer

After months of lockdown, we’re finally allowed out of the house and back into the real world, just as the summer heat and extreme UV begins to kick in.

Across New Zealand you’ll be getting the first solar blast for months and your skin will be more sensitive than usual to burning if you’re out and about in the middle of the day.

So here are some tips for you and your family for surviving New Zealand UV this summer:

1. Cover up when you’re out in the sun.

Wear wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves and pants.

And try to cover up as much as possible when at the beach and swimming. For example, with a rash shirt or wetsuit.

2. Wear sunglasses

People often only worry about glare when wearing sunglasses, but the sun can also cause serious damage to your eyes. So, remember to make sure your whole family, even the little ones, wear sunglasses when you’re outside. As a bonus, you’ll look cool in the process.

3. Avoid the hottest part of the day

The sun is at its strongest between 10am and 4pm. Soo try to stay out of the sun during this part of the day. And if you can’t then stay in the shade.

4. Stay in the shade

If you’re spending time outside, try to stay in the shade as much as possible. This could be things like sitting under a tree, bringing sun umbrellas or tents to the beach, or seeking cover in the shadow of a building.

Also remember that at the beach the water is a giant light reflector, so even when in the shade it’s still possible to get sunburn from reflected sunlight.

5. Always use sunscreen

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen (that protects against both UVA and UVB) with an SPF of over 30.

Make sure you apply it 15 to 30 minutes before going outside and re-apply it every couple of hours, or more often if you’re sweating or swimming.

And remember, apply sunscreen everywhere, including places such as your ears, lips, back of the knees and tops of your feet.

There are 2 types of sunscreens:

• Physical sunscreens (containing zinc oxide or titanium oxide) which provide a physical barrier to the sun’s rays.

  These are our preference as they’re often better for young ones and people with sensitive skins + they may block up to 95% of the sun’s rays

• Chemical sunscreens which use a chemical reaction to turn the sun’s rays into less harmful heat. However chemical sunscreens are absorbed into the skin and are therefore more likely to cause irritation in some people

As a note of caution, in New Zealand the quality of sunscreens is poorly regulated. To ensure you get a good one we recommend starting with Consumers Best Sunscreens of 2021.

Finally, remember that sunburn is still a burn, so first thing to do is to treat it like any other burn, with first aid, and with severe sunburns visit a doctor or even the emergency room.

For minor burns that are not severely blistered and have no broken skin, use sunburn cream to aid the healing of the skin

Primal Herbaria SolaCare has been specially formulates to moisturize, soothe and cool burns as well as aiding the skins natural healing to help reduce damage and pealing. Apply on a regular basis (3 to 4 times a day) for around a week, or until the skin has healed.