Sun Safety On A Beach Vacation

PALE BY COMPARISON

When I was still in high school, I remember getting excited that my parents were taking me to Florida for a week in August. I was convinced that after just 7 days of toasting myself on a Miami beach, I'd return to school in September with the deepest, darkest tan imaginable. The reality, of course, is that if you're fair skinned to begin with, the only thing that an intense week of sunbathing is going to get you is a painful red burn that will subsequently get flakey and peel off. Suffice it to say, the temptation to stay outdoors longer than you really should is psychologically hard to overcome when everyone around you looks like a walking ad for Coppertone. You want to look just like them in order to fit in, not realizing that the tans they are sporting are either chemically enhanced or simply the product of a lifestyle that keeps them outdoors on a regular basis. In retrospect, I wish I had listened to friends who told me to (1) steadily build up a tan in June and July or (2) use a fake-bake, coupled with sunscreen""if I really wanted to look like the "in" crowd.

TIME YOUR TAN

The two worst times to be out in the sun are when it is directly overhead. This roughly equates to between 10 in the morning and 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Yes, I know, most beach activities occur exactly between these hours, putting you at risk of a burn. You have several defenses against this, however. You can slather on sunscreen products that have an SPF of 15 or higher to protect you from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. You can wear broad-brimmed, stylish hats to protect your fair face from burning. If you're doing lots of strolling on the sand, you can also don lightweight but long-sleeved shirts. Even if it's overcast, however, you're still susceptible to harmful rays. This can be a misleading weather phenomenon, largely owing to the fact that you're not experiencing direct sunlight and/or there is a cool, accompanying breeze that doesn't make you realize how much you are heating up and exposing your skin to the elements. Infant and young children are especially susceptible to harmful rays because they have thinner skin than adults. Babies in particular need to be shielded from extended exposure.

HAVE UMBRELLA, WILL TRAVEL

Don't be shy about pitching an umbrella on the beach and parking under it with your paperback novels, music or snacks. You're still absorbing all of the enjoyment of being out in Mother Nature without courting her dangerous side effects. Be sure to bring plenty of water, too, to replenish your system.

APPLY/REAPPLY

A sunscreen won't do you any good if you put it on and then immediately go jump in the water. If you are going to be conscientious about taking care of your skin, you need to reapply your lotion or gel every time you've taken a dip and scrambled back to your beach towel. Ideally, sunscreens should be applied a half hour before you go out in the sun. Make sure that you cover all exposed parts, including the tops of your feet, your neck, your ears, the backs of your hands and even your upper lip. To work effectively, sun blocks need to be applied about every 2 hours, more so if you are swimming or participating in sweat-inducing sports like beach volleyball. Even if you are out on a kayak or a catamaran and staying thoroughly wet all day, remember that the surface of the water will reflect the sun's rays and magnify their intensity.

THE EYES HAVE IT

Don't forget to always wear protective eyewear when you are out in the sun. Did you know that you can get burned corneas from too much exposure? This, in turn, can lead to the development of cataracts. With the wide variety of stylish sunglasses""many of which provide UV protection""you have no excuse not to "go celebrity" and wear them.

A WORD ABOUT MEDICATIONS

Have you read all of the small print on your latest prescription? It may surprise you to discover that some of the pills and potions""including some birth control pills and antibiotics""you are taking aren't compatible with sunlight. Always check with your pharmacist if you have concerns that whatever drugs you are taking for a health condition won't make you a target for more severe problems when the sun is on high.

SHOULD YOU GO FOR THE FAKE BAKES?

Technology has come a long way from the sunless tanning ointments that used to turn its users an odd shade of orange. With the continued warnings against prolonged sunbathing, some people even prefer to get their annual glow from a bottle, tube or spray containing the active ingredient dihydroxyacetone. What you need to be aware of, of course, is that the fake tan itself is no protection against UV rays and that you will still need to use a sunscreen on top of it. Always follow the application directions to the letter, especially as they apply to hair, clothing, and your hands. While these products need to be applied regularly to upkeep your newly bronzed persona, many consumers feel that it's a good investment considering the consequences of contracting skin cancers associated with prolonged exposure to the sun. Less desirable are the various ingestible pills on the market which promise to "dye" a user from the inside out. Canthaxanthin-based tanning pills are not only linked to hepatitis but have been shown to have connections to brain and liver damage as well.

IF YOU DO GET A BEACH BURN

Have an ample supply of aloe vera gel on hand. It will instantly cool the skin. You should also have pain relievers such as ibuprofen to help take down the heat and pain associated with a bad sunburn. Drink plenty of liquids as well to re-hydrate your system. And, by all means, get off the beach and head for indoors!