Summer & outdoors
Be smart, put on sunscreen!
Sunlight makes us happy, helps fight depression and gives us energy! Ultraviolet radiation triggers our bodies to produce vitamin D. Vitamin D keeps our bones and muscles strong and has a positive effect on our mood and blood pressure too.
Unfortunately, not everything under that glorious sun is golden. UV rays can damage our skin beyond repair.
It’s common knowledge that young children’s skin is vulnerable in the sun, but older people are a vulnerable group too. As the years go by, our skin becomes thinner and more fragile, which makes good protection vital.
UV index
The UV index shows how strongly the sun’s radiation affects unprotected skin.
The UV index ranges from 0 (low UV intensity, skin burns slowly) to 11+ (extremely high UV intensity, skin burns almost immediately). If the number is 3 or higher, it’s important to apply enough sunscreen. This protects you against harmful UV radiation and helps you avoid sunburn. Even when the sun doesn’t seem particularly strong at first glance, you can still get burnt.
Check the UV index on your smartphone
Want to know today’s UV index? Download the UV index app on your smartphone.
Sun tips
Apply water-resistant sunscreen generously and regularly, 20 to 30 minutes before you go out in the sun.
Avoid the sun during the hottest hours of the day (between 11 am and 3 pm).
Wear protective clothing, sunglasses and a sun hat.
Drink plenty of water (1.5 to 2 litres a day).
Watch out with polyester clothing!
A 100% polyester shirt can affect your skin in several ways when exposed to high temperatures, strong sun and water. First, the fabric can stop your skin from breathing properly, which can lead to heat rash and overheating. On top of that, the combination of polyester and sunlight can cause unexpected skin irritation, redness, allergic reactions and even burns.
How quickly does your skin burn?
A simple calculation tells you how quickly your skin will burn. Divide the score for your skin type by the UV index, and you get an estimate of how long it takes before your skin turns red, in other words, before you get sunburnt.
Example: with a UV index of 7
Skin type 1: 60 points / UV index 7 = 9 minutes
Skin type 2: 100 points / UV index 7 = 14 minutes
Skin type 3: 300 points / UV index 7 = 43 minutes
Skin type 4: 400 points / UV index 7 = 57 minutes
And what if you have a scar?
A recent scar needs extra protection from the sun during the first few months. This is especially true for larger scars after an accident, a burn or surgery. Irritated skin is much more sensitive to UV radiation than normal skin, which can make the scar turn either darker or lighter. The risk is mainly cosmetic: the healing itself won’t suffer. But strong discolouration caused by the sun can last for months. In the worst case, it can even become permanent.
The more recent the scar, the more you need to protect it.
During the first month, and as long as the scar is strongly coloured (red or dark pink), it’s best to avoid any exposure to the sun. You can do this by covering the scar with a dressing, plasters or clothing.
From the second month, or as soon as the scar has turned light pink and is barely visible, you can go out in the sun. Apply a high-factor sunscreen (SPF 50+) on and around the scar. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, especially after swimming, bathing, heavy sweating or towelling dry.
After three to four months, sunbathing becomes less of a problem, although your skin type still plays a role. The fairer your skin, the longer you need to be careful.
But sometimes things go wrong!
You’re enjoying yourself on a café terrace and suddenly realise you’ve got sunburnt. It happens to all of us. What matters is that you know what to do.
First aid for sunburn
For mild sunburn, take a cool shower.
Apply a moisturising cream several times a day.
For severe sunburn, contact your GP.
For extreme sunburn, contact the emergency services.
Itching from sunburn can be very unpleasant
Here are a few tips to help relieve the itching:
Cool down: apply a cold compress or a cold, damp flannel to the burnt area. This can reduce the itching and bring relief.
Moisturise: apply a moisturising cream to the burnt skin to restore its moisture. Choose a product containing aloe vera, as this can help soothe the skin.
Stay hydrated: drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Sunburn can dry out your skin and make the itching worse.
Avoid scratching: however tempting it may be, try not to scratch. Scratching can damage the skin further and cause infections.
Painkillers: painkillers such as ibuprofen can help reduce pain and inflammation, which in turn can ease the itching. Always ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice.
A safe holiday
Keep your holiday fire-safe. Fire safety doesn’t just matter at home, it matters on holiday too. Make your caravan fire-safe before you leave and check the campsite’s fire instructions when you arrive. That way you can enjoy a carefree and fire-safe holiday.
More tips: LeefBrandveilig.be
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