For those of us experiencing winter, now is the prime time to take a vacation to escape the cold weather, snow, and ice. But did you know that your skin is more sensitive to the sun after rainy and snowy seasons? Especially at the beginning of your vacation, you and your children will be more likely to develop a sunburn, and it will probably take less time in the sun to happen, too. A bad sunburn can ruin any good vacation, so be sure to follow our top tips to stay sun safe during your travels! SPF30+ sunscreen, sunglasses, UV-protective clothing, and the Sun Index sun safety wearable are the keys to keeping your family safe while enjoying your vacation!

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SPF30+ sunscreen is an absolute must. It’s important to reapply it every 2 hours as recommended, and after swimming or excessive sweating. It’s also important to remember to apply enough sunscreen in the first place. A general rule of thumb you can follow is to apply two tablespoons of sunscreen to your face and body combined – that’s about enough to fill a shot glass.¹ Nonetheless, this number depends on how much skin you have. Children will likely need a little bit less, and adults may need a little bit more. Also, don’t forget about protecting your eyes – they’re vulnerable to the sun’s harmful rays too. Make sure you wear designated UV-protective sunglasses whenever you’re outside. Hats and UV-protective clothing is also a good option to protect your skin from the sun. Check out our previous post for extra tips if your kids fuss when it’s time to apply sunscreen or put on a hat and sunglasses.
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If you notice your skin or your children’s skin starting to turn pink, it’s best to seek shade or go indoors completely. Pink skin is an early indication of sunburn, and the condition will only worsen with more sun exposure. Luckily, Sun Index will help you to stay on top of these sun safety tips while you enjoy your vacation with your family. Using your skin type, environmental situation, and the real-time, location-specific UV index, it will help you to predict how long you can stay in the sun before developing a sunburn. It will also remind you to reapply sunscreen.

The Sun Index team wishes everyone a sun safe vacation!

  1. Hale, E. K. (2010). ASK THE EXPERT: How much sunscreen should I be using on my face and body? Retrieved November 29, 2016