Stay Safe

Some helpful reminders for those who absolutely live for fun in the sun.

Love the sun - but respect your skin

Sun protection keeps your skin looking its very best. Just remember that the harmful effects of UV rays build up over time, so make sun care a part of your daily routine.

Let's talk sun intensity

The sun is at its hottest and most intense between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The best advice is to limit your sun exposure during those hours, but at the very least use a trusted sunscreen like Hawaiian Tropic® if you're spending time in the sun. Of course, spending some of that time in the shade always helps.

Don't be shy - apply a luxurious amount

Coverage is important. Your face requires about a teaspoon of sunscreen, while your arms and legs require about a tablespoon for the best coverage. Adjust accordingly for your torso. For maximum protection, wait for your sunscreen to soak in (15 to 30 minutes) before indulging in the sun.

Reapply often, at least every two hours

Sweating, swimming, and towel drying can remove sunscreen from your skin's surface, so be sure to reapply and lather up as needed.

Geographically speaking

As you might imagine, the sun's rays are more intense in tropical and semi-tropical locations because exposure becomes more direct as you get closer to the equator. Intensity is also higher when YOU go higher - at higher elevations, the atmosphere is a lot thinner so extra protection for skin and eyes is a must. Bottom line: go for a higher SPF in tropical locales and higher elevations.

Ozone info

Important fact: Exposure to damaging UV rays is increasing due to the continuing depletion of the Earth's ozone layer. Sunscreen has never been more important.

Did you know?

You can still get burned even when wearing a hat or sitting in the shade? It's all about reflection - surfaces like water, sand, snow, and pavement all reflect the sun and intensify the exposure.

Summer heat

As you might guess, UVB rays are stronger in the summer - while UVA remains pretty much constant throughout the year. Advice: choose a higher SPF during the summer months.

Cloudy or hazy days?

Yes, UV rays can penetrate the atmosphere (clouds and all) and cause sunburn - so once again, don't forget the sunscreen.

Medical tip:

Many medications, including certain antibiotics, heart and blood pressure medicines, antihistamines and antidepressants, can cause photosensitive reactions when you're exposed to sunlight. Unusual "sunburn", rash or other allergic-type reaction to the skin is possible, so be careful. Individual sensitivities vary widely and may not happen to everybody, every time. It's best to consult your physician or pharmacist before sun exposure when using ANY medication.

Perfume alert:

Did you know that some fragrances can also cause photosensitive reactions? Check your perfumes for bergamot, citron, lavender, sandalwood, and musk.

Easy-to-forget spots

Remember to apply sunscreen to your ears, knees, calves, elbows and the tops of your feet. We always seem to remember these spots after it's too late!