Why is it easier to get sunburned at the beach? How to protect yourself from the sun at the beach

Under the scorching sun and the strong ultraviolet rays at the seaside, it is easy to cause skin symptoms such as erythema (oral dermatology), peeling, itching, and blisters. This is a symptom of sunburn (dermatology), which can cause serious damage to the skin if not treated promptly. So, why is it easier to get sunburned at the seaside?

Why is it easier to get sunburned at the beach?

1. The ultraviolet rays at the seaside have a high reflectivity

The ultraviolet rays at the seaside are very strong. In addition to the direct sunlight, the reflection and refraction of the sea water and the reflection of the sun by the sand can be very high (the greatest reflection comes from white foam or sand). The reflectivity of different reflective surfaces varies greatly. The lawn is 1% to 2%, the asphalt road is 5% to 6%, the beach can reach 15% to 20%, and the water surface is 10% to 100%. The reflectivity of the sun's rays on the beach and water is very high, so even if the sun's rays aren't very strong, you still need special sun protection when you're at the beach.

2. Lack of protection

On a sunny seaside day, you're more likely to strip off and head to the beach to cool off. If you are swimming or diving, you are unlikely to wear a sun hat. Your skin will be exposed to UV rays with no shade. You could be in this environment for hours, and your skin being cooled by the water will distract you from the effects of your skin. Cool water can also soothe the feeling of a sunburn, masking the warning signs. In the city you'd probably at least wear a t-shirt and a sun hat or something, and there would be some buildings and trees to provide shade. Due to these factors, sunburns are more likely to occur at the beach than during other activities.

3. Focusing effect of water droplets

Especially at the seaside when there are water droplets on your body, the focusing effect of the water droplets will concentrate the ultraviolet rays to a certain part and cause burns (just like a magnifying glass). After the skin is soaked in water, the water content of the stratum corneum increases significantly, making the skin's ability to reflect light worse and more susceptible to ultraviolet erosion.

How to protect yourself from the sun at the beach

1. Stay in the shade

Too much direct exposure to sunlight is not a good thing. You can greatly reduce the risk of skin damage by seeking shelter under a sun umbrella, gazebo, or shade tree. By alternating between sun and shade, you'll help reduce the harmful effects of the sun's UV rays so you can continue to enjoy all kinds of activities outside. Remember, the sun's UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you are outdoors, try to stay in the shade.

2. Choose the right sunscreen

Sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect yourself from the sun. The sun's UV rays can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes, so be sure to use sunscreen on all exposed skin. If a sunscreen is broad spectrum and has an SPF of 30+, it will protect you from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Apply sunscreen 20 minutes before sun exposure, seeking help on hard-to-apply areas like your back. Reapply every two hours, even on cloudy days, or after swimming or sweating. Don't forget to apply sunscreen to your lips, ears, feet, hands, or parts of your hair, and the back of your neck. Likewise, use it underneath swimsuit straps, necklaces, bracelets, and sunglasses. You should apply a generous amount of sunscreen — about the size of a ping-pong ball — every two hours. You should use it multiple times when swimming or sweating. At the beach, three to five ping-pong balls of sunscreen might only be enough for one person to use in a day.

3. Cover up with clothing

The clothes you wear can have a huge impact on your level of sun protection. While any type of garment will provide some level of relief, certain garments are more effective than others. Choose clothing made of thick materials or dark colors, as these fabrics have a higher SPF than lightweight, light-colored clothing. Alternatively, you can wash your clothes in a sunscreen product that gives them a UV protection factor of 30. Plus, wet clothes expose you more than dry clothes—something to consider when you're at the beach.