Sun Safety in the Garden: Protecting Your Skin from Harmful Rays
When it's a beautiful day outside, gardening can be an enjoyable way to relax and soak up the sun. However, it's important to remember that sun exposure can harm your skin by causing premature aging and increasing the risk of skin cancer. In this article, we'll explore some helpful tips to keep you safe while gardening in the sun.
Understanding the Risks
Before we dive into sun safety tips, let's first understand why it's necessary to protect your skin. The sun emits two types of harmful rays: UVA and UVB. UVA rays can lead to premature aging, while UVB rays are the main cause of skin cancer. These harmful rays are present all year round, even on cloudy days, so it's essential to prioritize sun protection during any outdoor activity.
Sunscreen
Another critical step in protecting your skin is to use sunscreen. Look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30. Apply it generously to all exposed skin, including your face, neck, and hands, at least 15 minutes before going outside. Remember to reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
Protective Clothing
Wearing protective clothing is one of the most effective ways to safeguard your skin from harmful rays. Opt for lightweight, breathable fabrics such as cotton or linen, and choose long-sleeved shirts and pants to cover your arms and legs.
Protective clothing is versatile, with many options, so you’re likely to shop around. But whatever you choose to go out in the sun with, make sure it has a good reputation with solid reviews and clearly specifies its UPF rating. UPF 50+ fabrics block 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays, so you can look great while protecting your skin from sun damage.
Farmers Defense Protective Sleeves are better than any sunscreen in the garden, with no need to reapply and guaranteed sun-safety, all-day-long.
Our entire UPF protective sleeves collection is here. Shop for both men and women.
Wearing a Hat
Wearing a hat is an effortless yet effective way to protect your face and scalp from harmful rays. Farmers Defense's protective sun hat, with fabulous artistic designs and prints, offers UPF 50+ protection and is an excellent choice for shading your face and neck. Made of natural materials and REPREVE fabric, which is made from 100% recycled plastic, it's a sustainable and practical accessory for your gardening outfit. The lightweight and breathable materials make it comfortable to wear for extended periods, ensuring that you stay protected while enjoying your time in the garden.
Seek Shade
Whenever possible, seek out shade while gardening. You can position yourself under a tree, awning, or umbrella. This not only helps to protect your skin but also helps keep you cool on hot days.
Time Your Gardening
The sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so if possible, try to schedule your gardening activities during the early morning or late afternoon when the sun is less intense.
It's crucial to protect your skin from harmful rays when spending time in the garden. By following these tips such as wearing protective clothing, applying sunscreen, wearing a hat, seeking shade, and timing your gardening activities, you can enjoy gardening safely and comfortably all summer long.
