What You Need To Consider About Skincare In The Fall
The pools may be closing and the weather may be getting a little cooler, but the sun is still out. It’s time to get out there and root on the Kansas City Chiefs! However, with football season here, so is another venue for sun exposure. Sunlight provides the human body with vitamin D, but overexposure to the sun can cause damage. Here is how you can protect yourself during the big game.
Use Sunscreen
One of the most effective ways to fight against ultraviolet rays is to be proactive about sunscreen application. You want to look for a sunscreen that has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30-50. More is better when it comes to SPF. A sunscreen that has an SPF of 50 is able to block approximately 93% of ultraviolet rays. This is an important safeguard against skin cancer, which can result from extended sun exposure. Make sure that you are following the directions on the sunscreen bottle and apply liberally when you know you will be outside for extended periods of time. It is also recommended to reapply a water resistant sunscreen every 90 minutes to ensure adequate protection.
Wear Protective Clothing
While you may already be wearing warmer clothing during football season, it is still important to ensure that you are covered adequately. You will want to wear tightly-woven clothing that has the capacity to block out light. A good method to see if the clothing you are wearing is effective is to place your hand between a layer of clothing and the source of light. If you are able to see your hand through the fabric, the item will not provide you with good sun protection. There are even clothing lines that are rated based on their ability to protect against sunlight and they will advertise their SPF rating. Some years we even see official Kansas City Chiefs merchandise that boosts fabric with an SPF! So whether you are watching from the stands or yelling at the screen from home, you can make your allegiance to the Chiefs clear with a solid game day outfit that can help protect you from the sun.
Shade When Possible
Another effective way to avoid damaging sun exposure is to seek shade when possible. While this may be obvious, when it’s not hot outside, it’s easy to stay out in the sun longer. This is especially important between 10 AM and 2 PM, when ultraviolet rays are at their peak. If it is possible to be under shaded seats at the big game, opt for those. Otherwise, make sure to take breaks to seek out shade. Most stadiums have shaded areas where you can still see the game and won’t miss out on any of the action. Find the shade at Arrowhead Stadium without missing out on any of the KC Chiefs game.
Wear a Hat
Wearing a hat is probably the simplest way to protect yourself during a football game and any time in the sun. A hat with at least a 2 to 3-inch brim provides the best protection to the head and face. A hat with a circular brim can also provide protection to the neck. The larger the hat, the more surface area it covers and the more benefit it provides to the wearer.
The Truth About Vitamin D
From the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology:
“It has been calculated that for individuals with skin phototype II, 5 minutes of noontime summer sunlight exposure 2 to 3 times a week is more than adequate to satisfy the body’s requirement for vitamin D.”
From Dr. Kaplan:
Most people are under the misconception that they have to be exposed to sunlight for an extended period of time to convert their vitamin D to the active form. Studies show that even with sunscreen use, individuals do not completely block sun exposure resulting in more than adequate sun exposure to ensure adequate levels of vitamin D (provided you have adequate levels of vitamin D in your diet). So when sitting outside cheering on the KC Chiefs this year, know that you are being responsible by wearing your sunscreen (and throw on some face paint for national TV) and also ensuring you maintain adequate levels of vitamin D.
If you have specific questions about protecting yourself from the sun or have a skin condition that you believe is caused by sun exposure, call APDKC today at 913-469-1115 to schedule an appointment. Our caring professionals are here to provide you with the best information to make informed choices to protect yourself. GO KC CHIEFS!