Protecting Your Skin From Sunburn When Working Outdoors

Does your job require you to work outdoors? There are certain advantages to working outdoors rather than indoors. You'll get plenty of exercise, for example, while also being able to breathe in fresh air. But there are some drawbacks, including the risk of sunburn. Each year, millions of people experience sunburn from prolonged exposure to the sun. And while the only foolproof way to completely prevent sun exposure is to stay indoors, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from sunburn when working outdoors.

Wear a Hat

Whether it's required at your job site or not, wearing a hat -- hard or soft -- can protect you from sunburn. With nothing more than hair covering the top of your head, your scalp is highly susceptible to sunburn. Working for just an hour under the hot summer sun is more than enough to burn the top of your head. Wearing a hat, however, prevents sunlight from reaching your scalp, thereby protecting it from sunburn.

Wear UPF Fabrics

When choosing clothes to wear while working outdoors, consider the ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of the fabric. Some clothes are designed specifically to block or reflect the sun's ultraviolet light. The sun-blocking effectiveness of these clothes is measured in UPF. A shirt or vest with a high UPF offers greater protection from sunburn than a shirt or vest with a low UPF.

Wear Sunglasses

Sunburn can occur anywhere on your skin that's exposed to sunlight, including your eyelids. A simple way to protect your eyelids from sunburn is to wear sunglasses. A pair of UV-protectant sunglasses will block out the sun's ultraviolet rays, preventing them from reaching your eyes and eyelids. Of course, sunglasses will also improve your visibility by eliminating sun glare. As a result, wearing them may improve your productivity at work.

Wear Sunscreen Lotion

Wearing sunscreen lotion isn't something that most workers think about when getting ready for work in the morning. Nonetheless, this is arguably the single most important thing that you can do to protect yourself from getting sunburned. Sunscreen lotion contains a special formula of ingredients that blocks the sun's ultraviolet light.

Don't rely on a single method to protect you from sunburn. Rather, use all the methods described here to keep your skin safe and healthy. By taking the necessary precautions, you'll protect yourself from sunburn and, subsequently, lowering your risk of developing skin cancer.