In a country as sunny as here, it’s likely you have experienced mild to moderate sunburn at least once in your life. The fact is, most Australians have experienced this often, which can cause damage. Sunburn is caused by exposure to ultraviolet radiation which causes the skin to become too hot, red and painful. Damaged skin cells die and often peel or shed, making way for the new skin beneath.
The Harm Sunburn Can Cause
Health Direct states sunburn is a serious concern, due to our high levels of UV radiation. The dangers can lead to both short-term discomfort and long-term health risks. Some of the key dangers include:
- Skin Damage: Sunburn is a clear sign of skin damage caused by overexposure to UV radiation. Severe sunburn can lead to painful redness, swelling, and blisters, which can require medical attention.
- Skin Cancer: Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world, including melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer. UV radiation from the sun is a major risk factor for skin cancer, and sunburn increases this risk significantly.
- Premature Ageing: Sunburn accelerates the ageing process of the skin, leading to wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. Prolonged exposure to UV radiation without proper protection can cause the skin to lose its elasticity and youthful appearance.
- Eye Damage: UV radiation can also harm the eyes, leading to conditions like cataracts and macular degeneration. Sunburn of the eyes (photokeratitis) can cause temporary vision impairment, pain, and discomfort.
- Heat-Related Illnesses: Severe sunburn can contribute to heat-related illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke, especially in combination with high temperatures.
How to Avoid Dangerous UV Rays
Despite the dangers of sunburn, when the temperature rises in Australia it's natural to want to enjoy the outdoors with the family. But apart from retreating indoors, how can you still enjoy the outdoors whilst minimising the dangers?
Shade. Well positioned and effective shade can reduce direct and indirect UV exposure and create a cool outdoor area. Louvretec’s products provide sun shading solutions .
Having a covered outdoor area is beneficial in providing shade when necessary. The World Health Organisation estimates that children are exposed to up to 80% of their lifetime UV radiation before the age of 18.
Clothing: Wear a sun protective hat, sunglasses that meet AU standard 1067, sun protective clothing, a high protection, water resistant SPF Sunscreen of 30+ or more and apply sunscreen to any skin not protected by clothing 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours or after water activities.
Louvretec Products
The Louvretec Room is a revolutionary outdoor living and entertaining space, complete with a roof, shutters, and/or sliding doors. What's great is that you can also retrofit products over time - you can start with a deck, add an opening roof, and then enclose the sides. You can even do all of this in one go.
As global temperatures rise, the consequences of extreme weather events are becoming increasingly obvious. Part of the solution, for your home is adding an Opening Roof to block UV rays when required. For those who wish to enjoy the outdoors but don't want to be in direct sunlight, LouvreTec’s products offer a practical solution. Regulate the amount of sun that enters your outdoor area, providing a shaded and secure spot when the sun is at its strongest. Protect yourself and your children from sunburn as much as possible and enjoy a stylish and functional solution today.