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During the summer time the sun can be excruciatingly hot, and more research is showing that the sun can actually be quite harmful. If you get too much sun exposure, it can also increase your risk of getting skin cancer as well. While many people choose to wear sunscreen as a method of skin protection, another great way to keep yourself protected is to wear a hat. If you are one of the many people who choose to wear a hat for sun protection, then there are many different hats for you to choose from.
For women who prefer a sporty look, a ball cap is a great choice. This type of a hat goes around the entire head, but also has a nice bill that will keep your face and eyes protected from the harmful rays of the sun. Some people do not think these hats are very effective, since they only cover your hear and part of your face. These hats do keep your eyes and head protected but do allow you to get a nice dose of sun to the rest of your body if you want it.
Some women on the athletic side prefer to wear a visor. A visor is quite a bit like the ball cap; however it does not actually cover the head and has only a strap going around your heard. This still keeps your eyes and face protected and it is great to wear while playing sports, such as tennis or volleyball.
For women who are not wanting an athletic look or who do not need a hat to wear while being active, there are other types of summer hats as well. These hats are usually woven hats and are often made of straw or cotton. Often they are decorated with words, beautiful summer scenes, or even some flowers. Usually these types of heads actually cover the entire head, and usually the brim is quite large and goes all the way around the hat too.
You will find that this hat will give you a great deal more protection that a ball cap or visor. Hats that have large, floppy rims actually protect your face and your shoulders as well. These hats often are a bit more on the decorative side, and you can probably find a hat to match almost any outfit.
Almost any hat can help keep your face and eyes protected from the sun's rays. No doubt the hat that you decide to pick will be based on your particular taste. Be sure to find the hat the fits your lifestyle and your sense of style as well so you can fight off the sun with a hat you love.
It's the summer time so that it means lots of beach or pool time for many and unfortunately lots of sun burns as well. Most of us know about the negative affects of those harsh rays, but do we really know if we're getting the best protection? Just because you don't get sunburn after a day in the sun doesn't equate to guarding your skin. You might think you are in the clear by slathering on a little lotion with SPF but it turns out that we might need more than that.
The current Sun protection factor levels only protect us from UVB rays which cause sunburn. UVA rays damage collagen and cause wrinkles and sun spots, as well as cancer and melanoma. The FDA has called upon manufacturers to provide more detailed information on their labels. This would be the first time they would be required to test and label sunscreens to protect against UVA rays.
You can buy an expensive sunscreen lotion with a high SPF and not even know if you're being protected against UVA. UVA ages the skin with a longer wavelength that penetrates deeper into the skin and attacks layers that give skin tone and elasticity. Just because you pay $30 for a small tube of cream does not ensure total protection with a broad spectrum. More than 1 million skin cancers are diagnosed in the U.S. every year. Research has shown that the top selling sunscreen brands also have the poorest quality.
Trying to compare products is often difficult and confusing, but we should know what we are getting. Mexoryl, a chemical that protects against UVB rays provides the best protection. Unfortunately, you can't legally buy it in the Unites States because the FDA hasn't approved yet. It generally takes about 12 - 15 years for a drug to get approved. Just because it is only legal in countries like Canada and France to name a few, does not necessarily mean it can't be purchased here - it's just more difficult to find and very expensive.
Look for sunscreens with helioplex which combines avobenzone (UVA absorber) and oxybenzone (UVB absorber). I have been using a face sunscreen with this broad spectrum protection and have not burned even once. It is also wise to look for a sunscreen that contains titanium, dioxide, or zinc oxide. Lastly, waterproof sunscreen is your best bet, especially when it's very hot outside or if you are a water baby. Always, always reapply a generous amount to all exposed areas so you don't end of looking like a patch work quilt. It's the summer season in most parts of the world, so be safe and take care of your skin!