How to protect your skin from the sun?

Cover up

Here at Protest, we have a range of garments that have SPF 50 meaning that the parts of the body that are covered by these garments are well protected from the sun. We’ve got rash guards for girls, boys, women and men. For girls and women we also have SUP & Surf suits and leggings with built-in sun protection.

Fabric with a tight construction

Choose fabric that has a tight construction. The tighter the knit or the weave, the smaller the holes in the fabric and the less UV can get through. When you come out of the water, think of wearing a sarong or a beach towel for protection. When you’re not in or on the water, try to cover up in tunics or kimonos. Look for garments with a higher neckline, which also protects the back of your neck. Also looser garments offer better protection than tight-fitting clothes.

Accessorize

Wear a brimmed hat. This is a great way of bringing your own shade with you. We have a brilliant range of straw hats and caps to keep the sun out of your eyes. Also remember to wear sunglasses that filter UVA and UVB rays. Look for glasses with wide lenses so that not only your eyes are protected but also the skin around your eyes.

A broad-spectrum sunscreen

There are two types of radiation both of which are harmful to your skin. These are UVA and UVB radiation. UVA radiation is causes skin ageing and UVB exposure is causes the sunburn. The SPF rating only indicates protection from UVB rays. When a sunscreen protects against both, it is called broad-spectrum protection.

Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 or higher

Sunscreens are designed to remain at original strength for up to three years so it’s fine to use the sunscreen you bought last year. Remember to check the expiration date and discard the bottle if this date has passed, as the lotion may no longer be effective.

Water-resistant sunscreen

Make sure your sunscreen is water-resistant and reapply every two hours, especially after swimming or sweating. You might not know this but it’s best to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outside so your skin has time to absorb it.

Apply enough sunscreen

Be generous in your application of sunscreen. You should apply at least six full teaspoons to properly protect your face and body. You can divide that up like this – more than half a teaspoon of sunscreen to each arm, to the face and neck including the ears, and just over one teaspoon to each leg, front of the body and back.

Seek shade

Seek shade when possible, especially during the hours of 10:00 am to 4:00 pm when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.

Protect kids by reapplying sunscreen

Protect kids by reapplying sunscreen often with an SPF of at least 15. Try to get the kids to play in the shade and dress them in protective clothing.

Keep babies out of direct sunlight

Babies under the age of 6 months should never be in direct sunlight. Your skin is at its most sensitive and vulnerable in the first 6 months of your life. So keep your baby in the shade, always use a hat and clothing that protects them from those UV rays. Babies like to remove their hats so look for one with a strap under the chin. It’ll have a better chance of staying on.

Protect yourself, sun or no sun

Protect yourself whether you see the sun or not. Can’t see the sun? A cloudy sky and car windows won’t protect you from UV rays. Don’t think that a short amount of time without protection is okay as any sun exposure can be harmful.

Check your skin

Check yourself regularly for irregularities in your skin. If you do it often, you can better tell if there have been changes. If you notice anything suspicious, see your doctor.

Protest Team rider tips

Before going out in the sun, it’s essential to apply a sun cream. Which sun protection products are you going to choose? There are so many out there! Which products are the most suitable and for which moment? To help you out, we have asked our team rider and pro surfer Laura Coviella for advice and this is her story!

‘’I’m sponsored by EQ Love. This is an ecological brand, which has a kit with some different kinds of sunscreens (face, body, lips), aftersun creams and other interesting products. It works really well and by using this brand, we are doing our bit to take care of the environment. Apart from EQ love, another sunscreen I really like using is ISDIN. It also really works.’’

Frequently asked questions about sun protection

What are the differences between UVA and UVB?

Firstly, we’ll tell you what all those letters stand for! The sun sends light, heat and UV rays down to earth. UV stands for Ultra Violet and you can’t see or feel these rays. Two types of UV rays are UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays have a longer wavelength and are responsible for premature aging of the skin.

The UVB rays have a shorter wavelength and are associated with sunburn or the burning of the skin. Together they contribute greatly to the risk of cancer. So a sun cream’s job is to stop these harmful rays entering the skin.

What is SPF?

SPF stands for Sun Protection factor. This number, which ranges from 8 to 50+, is used to express the level of sun protection that a sunscreen will give you from UVB rays. The level of protection from UVA rays isn’t rated but a broad-spectrum sun cream will protect you from both.

How does SPF work?

Basically, the SPF factor is an indication of just how long you can stay in the sun before you get burned. Say for example, it takes you an average of 10 minutes to burn. This number will depend on factors like skin type, where you are in the world and what time of day it is. You multiply the SPF factor by this number of minutes (10 in this case) and that is approximately the amount of time that you are protected. Thus the higher the SPF factor the longer you are protected in the sun.

How do sun creams work?

There are physical and chemical ingredients in sun creams helping them to protect us from getting burned. Both types act to prevent the sun’s UV rays from entering the skin. These creams do this by either reflection or absorption or a combination of both. Physical sun cream ingredients are minerals like zinc oxide, which blocks the rays before they enter the skin. Chemical ingredients, like avobenzone, act to absorb the rays before they can damage your skin.

Does black clothing protect you from the sun?

The colour of the clothing that you wear does affect your level of protection from the sun. Dark colours, like black, actually absorb more UV rays than lighter colours. Any rays that are absorbed won’t be reaching your skin. So dark colours help protect you from sunburn. Remember that other factors, like the tightness of the construction of the fabric, also play a roll.

When are the sun’s rays the strongest?

The sun’s rays are at their strongest between 10am and 4pm. Remember that other factors like water, snow, sand and concrete can help to reflect light and increase the risk of sunburn. Also UV rays can travel through clouds! So even on a cloudy day, remember to wear sunscreen.

Conclusion

That was our list on how to best protect your skin from the sun. Cover up, seek shade, apply sunscreen regularly, wear rash guards, sunglasses and a hat. Remember be vigilant about watching for changes in your skin. Have fun out there and take care of your skin.