You’re probably at litte confused at my blog title today. Why would anyone want to avoid the sun at a pool day? And by looking at my pasty-white skin in the photos below, you think I could use a little sun. But the truth is, I burn fairly quickly when I’m in the sun. I helped my brother move one weekend and without thinking about it burned my face and arms. As I get older, I think about avoiding the sun to avoid skin cancer. Several family members have had run-ins with skin cancer and I think you can never be too cautious when it comes to protecting your skin from the sun. Below are a few tips!
- Sunscreen, sunscreen and more sunscreen. I have a moisturizer with built in SPF 50 to protect my face during the day. When I know I’m going to be outside, I wear 50 on all of my exposed skin. Including ears and back of the neck!
- Stick to the shade. If I’m a pool, I follow the shade. Not only is it cooler but you’re not baking and squinting due to the sun. If I see even the slightest bit of pink I retreat to the shadows like a vampire.
- Layer up girl. I love pool accessories. Get me a caftan, floppy hat and pretty beach towel and I feel so glamorous. You can also wear long sleeve tops that are meant for being in the water. I talked my twin brother into one of these shirts, since he kayaks and is outside often. You don’t have to show a bunch of skin to look fab!
- Find an umbrella. There is nothing better than a big umbrella at the pool. You can flip through your magazine, settle in to read a book or talk to your girlfriend/significant other while still enjoying the day.
- You think you’re safe when it’s overcast or you’re in the water. But you’re not. I’ve been guilty thinking if you’re in the water or it’s overcast you can’t get burned. WRONG. Sun reflects off of the water (causing you to burn all the more). You can also burn when it’s overcast (just because you can’t see the sun doesn’t mean the sun can’t see you!)
