How Not to Get a Sunburn 🔥

It sounds easy but even the best sun avoiders can end up with a little too much sun.

I recently returned from Seattle. Even though Seattle is known for rainy weather, I packed my usual 2 bottles of sunblock, hat, SPF shirt and SPF bathing suit. I faithfully applied antioxidants and sunscreen to my face, neck and chest daily. Everyday in Seattle had a glorious forecast so my arms got blocked too. I kept sunscreen in my bag and I apply depending on the activity.

We were pretty active, hiking around Seattle and the Olympic Mountains and despite reapplying several times a day, using an SPF shirt, hat and sunglasses, I managed to get more sun than I wanted. Last night when I got into the shower after long, beautiful sun-filled days, I noticed a tan line where my apple watch sits. YIKES! 

Usually, I’m the person who goes on the beach vacation and comes home and you can’t tell I went to the beach. No tan for me. But somehow I managed to get more sun, despite trying not to. I have all the correct gear and take all the proper precautions but I still got color. 

Here’s what I learned:

• If you’re active in the midday sun 10am-3pm, hiking, gardening, walking or whatever, it is ESSENTIAL to use all the sun protection available, sunscreen that you reapply repeatedly, SPF shirt, wide brim hat, sunglasses. Even with all these you will get sun exposure.

• The amount of damage depends on how hard you try NOT to get sun. I’m sure I reduced the amount of damage because I actively fought off the sun, but damage is done no matter how hard you try. So, if you really need to reduce sun exposure, do not venture out between 10am-3pm. Sounds extreme? Make sure you're using a good SPF and reapplying!

• Use an SPF shirt, SPF bathing suit and SPF hat. There are so many cute ones. A quick Google search is all you need to do.

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