Protect Your Skin While on the Water This Summer

We can finally say summer is right around the corner. Soon you’ll be soaking up the sun and enjoying all that summer has to offer. But before you head outdoors, understanding the importance of sunscreen and sun protective clothing can save you from a lot of pain in the long run.

If you spend a lot of time outside and around the water, you should wear sunscreen or sun protective clothing. According to World Fishing Network, you risk a triple threat from the sun; the sun itself as well as reflecting surfaces such as the water and sand. As we all know, sunburn can ruin a vacation or fishing trip rather quickly and is very painful.

Sunscreen

Try to use a sunscreen with a SPF of 30 or more to reduce the risk of skin cancer, premature skin aging and wrinkling. Sunscreen labels often claim to be sweat-proof or waterproof which isn’t true, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors so it has time to take effect and reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days. When you spend all day fishing and need protection from the wind as well, try medicated formulas – and don’t forget your lips when applying sunscreen!

Sun Protective Clothing

If you don’t prefer applying sunscreen, try wearing protective clothing instead. Garments that are designed to block the sun’s rays are rated by their ultraviolet protection factor, similar to SPF for sunscreen. When looking for clothing, choose garments with a rating of 15 to 50 for the best sun protection. Believe it or not, eyes can also get sunburned and damaged by sunrays, according to Mayo Clinic. To protect your eyes, wear sunglasses as often as you can but keep in mind that light can still enter the eyes from the side and from the back by reflecting off the back of the sunglasses lens and into the eyes.

The importance of protecting yourself from the sun seems pretty straight forward and simple, but when you’re out and about having fun on the water, it’s easy to forget. Protect yourself first and embrace summer second.

Looking for a fun summer fishing adventure on the water for you and your family? Come stay with us at Lawrence Bay Lodge, located on Reindeer Lake in North Saskatchewan.