So, you’ve booked a tropical island vacation! Congratulations! Not to be a downer when you’re looking forward to some sea, sand and sun, but you should remember that very few things can ruin your vacation faster than suffering a serious sunburn shortly after you arrive. For this reason, we’ve put together a list of top sun safety tips for traveling.
Full Protection Sunscreen
We’re all familiar with sunscreen, but you should take the time to get the right kind. Make sure you get a product that offers broad-spectrum protection including both UVA and UVB rays. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) numbers over 30 will allow you stay in the sun longer without reapplying, but it’s been found that SPFs over 50 don’t offer any more significant protection. Sunscreen can also cause coral bleaching, so to help save the beautiful reefs surrounding Roatan, choose a reef-friendly sunscreen. There are several locally made ones on the island, like Aegis, which can be purchased once you arrive.
Sunscreen Application
When applying sunscreen, do it before getting dressed. This will help make sure you completely cover your exposed body parts and will also give the sunscreen a chance to bind to the skin properly. It’s recommended to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before being exposed to the sun.
Sunscreen Expiration
You should also know that sunscreen has a best before date. Sunscreen older than 3 years may not offer effective protection. If you don’t see an expiry date on the packaging, write the date you bought it on the container with permanent marker, so you remember when to replace it.
Check Your Head
Your head could be the most exposed part of your body, so make sure to protect it. If you’re not wearing a hat there are sunscreens made especially for your head, so you don’t end up with white residue in your hair.
Dress Code
You can use clothing to protect yourself from the sun, but some clothes are better at that than others. Lightweight synthetic fabrics such as polyester and nylon are better at blocking UV rays than similarly weighted natural fibers such as cotton. That said, densely woven cotton can be just as effective, but may make you overheat. Lighter colors are naturally more reflective and therefore better for keeping the sun off your skin. Recent advances in clothing manufacturing means there are now fabrics that are specifically produced to block UV rays.
Eye Protection
Excessive sun can cause eye problems immediately or even later in life. Wearing UV rated eye protection will help prevent such maladies. However, just because a pair of sunglasses has a sticker saying they offer UV protection, that may not always be the case. Rather than a cheap pair of shades bought at a souvenir shop, you should go for a trusted brand name. And next time you see your optometrist, have them check your sunglasses to make sure they’re appropriate.
Choose Your Time Wisely
If possible, you should try and avoid direct sunlight between 10am and 4pm. This may not be easily done while spending time on an island known for its sunny beaches, but you could use an umbrella or move your beach chair into the shade during these high UV ray hours. Maybe schedule your lunch and spa breaks to keep you away from the midday sun.
By being careful not to burn, you can be sure to enjoy your time on Roatan to the fullest!