When you have that running bug, there’s not much that will stop you from getting out in the outside world and pounding those streets. You’ve got fitness to think about, and you’re on a mission to reach your full physical potential, but what about sunscreen for sports and the other things you need to do to keep your skin safe and protected?
As you most probably know, this aspect of your running exploits is every bit as important as your personal best time. It’s no good being super healthy because of your cardiovascular fitness only to harm your health by suffering skin cancer later in your life.
With this in mind, we now consider some of the ways you can keep yourself burn-free while you’re out there on those long yet highly enjoyable runs.
Always Wear Sunscreen For Sports
The first consideration you should always make before going out on a run is the application of sunscreen for sports. If you have a chemical brand, you’ll need to apply it 30 minutes before you go out, but if it’s a mineral product, that doesn’t have to be the case.
Whichever type you have, it’s important to wear it. What’s different about sunscreen for sports? Well, it tends to be water-resistant, meaning you should ideally re-apply it after a maximum of 80 minutes if you’ve been sweating profusely. When it comes to sunscreen, sweating is just like swimming in that it dilutes and washes away the product.
Run in the Early Morning or the Evening
The sun’s power is at its strongest between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm due to being at the highest point in the sky. If you have control over when it is you run, try doing so when the sun isn’t quite so severe, which typically means any time outside of 10-2.
By running early in the morning or late in the evening, not only will it be cooler and less demanding on you as a runner, but you will also save your skin from a punishing assault.
Never, EVER Run Shirtless
If you’re a guy and you think the best way to stay cool and out of trouble is to go without a top on, this is just asking for trouble. There’s a bunch of high-quality, UPF-rated, closely-knit garments on the market that will keep you cool while protecting your shoulders and back.
When you combine a good quality mineral sunscreen with some UPF-rated sportswear, you can concentrate on perfecting your running style, safe in the knowledge that the sun isn’t going to cause you any long-lasting problems.
Sunscreen For Sports is Non-Negotiable – Wear it Every Time
You go out running for joy and to stay in shape, but being in shape also means having healthy skin. If you don’t wear sunscreen when you go out, it’s not going to stay in perfect condition for long, so be sure to wear it every time you run. In fact, every time you go out, you should have some kind of sunscreen on.
Staying sun safe just involves learning a few facts about how sunburn happens and how sunscreen can stop it. Do that, and sunburn is something you’ll never have to face.