If you want to keep smiling, take care of your skin. Photo: Korduroy TV.
There’s no question that surfing takes its toll on your skin. The bright sun and its reflection on the water put your body’s largest organ in a high-risk situation. If you’re surfing in tropical waters or even just surfing midday, you put your skin at even greater risk for a serious burn. Now, more than ever, it’s important to take care of your skin and fend off dangerous skin cancers like melanoma. This episode of Health Nuts from Korduroy TV covers three key bases in terms of protecting yourself from the sun.
This episode first discusses your body’s internal defense from sun damage. Many people don’t know it, but your diet actually plays a significant role in your body’s ability to fend off sunburn. See how fair skinned surfer in the tropics, Zach Keenan, balances his diet to maximize his body’s defenses. Keenan also shares a recipe for homemade sunscreen. While the concept of making your own sunscreen has both advocates and critics, it’s refreshing to see Keenan thinking outside the box to avoid the harsh chemicals in brandname sunscreen. That being said, please consider doing plenty of research and speaking with your doctor before abandoning tradition sunscreen. Finally, Keenan shares a trick as old as time for healing a bad burn after the fact.
Video Credit: Cyrus Sutton/ Korduroy TV.
In addition to these tricks, consider a few additional tips:
-Avoid surfing during peak sun hours. This might not be possible if it’s the day of the year in Indo, but if it’s just an average day, consider surfing in the morning and late afternoons. The sun’s rays aren’t quite as strong at these times, decreasing your chance of a bad burn.
-Wear long sleeves. If you can’t stand surfing in a shirt or wetsuit top, that’s ok. Just try to keep a shirt and hat on when you’re out of the water to avoid extra exposure.
-Seek shade. If you’re setting up camp for the day at the beach, bring an umbrella. If you’re just checking the waves, find a tree or shadow to stand in. Cutting back sun exposure even just a couple minutes can help your skin.
-Hydrate. Being well hydrated helps your skin maintain its natural balance and keep defenses strong. Chug a water bottle an hour to 30 minutes before you paddle out for an extra boost.
