You have been dreaming about the holiday for months, you have been at the parks for days so a few days at the beach is a great idea for a chance to relax but remember the sun in Florida is far more powerful than here in the UK so follow some simple rules and you will enjoy your holiday without any sun related difficulties!
Prevention seems to be the key here, so follow these tips:
Avoid sun exposure during the hottest hours of the sun’s rays – between 12 and 2 particularly – Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun is very true and the heat is not pleasant at that time of day.
Apply sunscreen with a SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 15, paying special attention to the face, nose, ears and shoulders. Some of the drugstores in Florida refuse to sell sunscreen with less than factor 8 because of the danger of sunburn. My daughter is mixed race and has quite dark skin but I always put 25 minimum on her and she still comes back with a healthy glow. We always buy our sun cream in America as it is far cheaper and also there is nothing worse than opening your case to find it has leaked EVERYWHERE! No-Ad is sold in most places and is one of the cheapest – we find it fantastic and we come home with great tans. For the last couple of days of the holiday when we have got a safe brown tan the adults in our party usually use oil, again with a sun factor.
Always wear a hat and sunglasses with UV (Ultraviolet) Protection – be wary of “cheap” glasses as these tend not to offer the correct protection.
Drink plenty of water and non-carbonated drinks, even if you do not feel thirsty – dehydration is not very pleasant.
Since overexposure to the sun is a major cause of sunburns, it is important to limit your time in the sun. And, don't get fooled into thinking you can't get sunburned when it is cloudy. You not only can, you probably will. Also, check the UV Forecast which is often broadcast on local news programs and published in local papers. The general rule is the higher the UV Index the higher the SPF needed in your sunscreen. It is equally important to recognize and carefully watch for the symptoms of sunburn and know how to apply first-aid. Remember that if you do get a sunburn, treat it seriously.
If you go for a dip, even if the sunscreen is waterproof, keep applying it – too much is better than too little. There is a real trend for cornrow hairstyles but ensure you put cream on your head between braids as nasty burns are being gained through this – better still keep your hat on!