Beach Umbrellas Are A Necessity

We cannot even think about going to the beach without a beach umbrella! The UV rays at the beach are intense and are the number one cause of skin cancer. Beach umbrellas have come a long way in styles, colors and sizes. You can find just about anything you want, but keep in mind the better the fabric used the more sun protection you get.

In choosing a beach umbrella you should research the fabric used and see if it has been rated with an SPF factor such as the way outdoor sports clothing is rated. If you are thinking of a vinyl material it should be made with two or three-ply for increase in sun protection. Another quality your umbrella should have is the ease in putting it up and stability. Many times windy conditions exist at the beach and the umbrella you choose must have flexibility so it does not break or lose its shape. You are able to purchase beach umbrellas with a tilt mechanism, but most beach umbrellas are made to stick right in the sand and can be tilted at an angle to block out most of the sun's rays. There are devices that can be put down in the sand and attached to your umbrellas for the extra stability that you are looking for. You also want to pay particular attention to ventilation so if you are in windy conditions the umbrella will not blow down the beach and end up hitting someone. The vents allow the air to come and go without disrupting the placement of your umbrella.

Beach umbrellas alone will not protect you 100% from the sun be with the addition of sunscreen, sunglasses and hats you will be well on your way to blocking out most of the harmful UV rays.

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Skin Cancer and the Beach: Forever Foes?

With the rise of awareness regarding skin cancer, it may feel like our whimsical days enjoying surf and sand are at an end. One in every three cancers is diagnosed as skin cancer, and there are 2-3 million skin cancers (non-melanoma) reported globally. In Australia every year, 80% of newly diagnosed cancers are skin cancer, and two out of three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the age of seventy. With these alarming statistics, many will wonder if there is any point to venturing outdoors in the sun again. The key to combating these statistics and minimizing your risk of developing skin cancer is to take protective measures when you are in the sun so that you can have your cake (low-fat and low-sugar now) and eat it too!

The very first step is knowing what the safest times are to venture out in the sun. When it comes to leisure time, choosing to avoid the sun at its most potent, when the radiation is the strongest, will definitely minimize exposure to harmful radiation. Frolicking in the waves between 10am and 2pm is a dangerous time as ultraviolet (UV) rays have shorter distances to travel through the atmosphere and hit you with a stronger wallop than at other times in the day. When you do venture out earlier in the morning or later in the afternoon, you should have on sun protective gear like a hat or cap, sunglasses, and sunblock or sunscreen.

The difference between sunblock and sunscreen is evident in their respective names; sunblock literally blocks out the sun's rays, whereas sunscreen screens or filters them. The best protective measure is to invest in sun protective clothing. This isn't referring to comfortable linen pants and a loose, long-sleeve cotton shirt. While those are a better option than exposing naked skin to the sun, they offer little protection. Sun protective clothing is a specialized line of products made specifically to combat UV radiation. Sun protective swimwear is available as well, and the best brands are manufactured to keep 98-99% of UV rays off of your skin. They are manufactured not just for adults; baby swimwear and kids' swimwear is also available. Investing in this specially-designed and formulated type of clothing and paying heed to other precautions and protective measures will allow you to keep yourself safe from skin cancer and enjoy the beach once more. Knowledge is certainly power when it comes to sun protection.

Oz Swimwear sells Sun Emporium, a leading Australian brand of quality swimwear - designed to offer excellent UV sun protection to delicate young skin.

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