Just Cover Up

Summer time in the northern hemisphere means longer days and more sunshine, and warmer weather that has folks wanting to strip down and go nearly nude. But uncovering your body and your head in the summer are not just rules for Arabic-background cultures, and they never were. We bicker and argue over whether or not we should cover out of modesty, or religious duty, or as a symbol of our faith, or from government law, or out of a sense of fashion, or embarrassment at hair loss. But here's the thing: everyone should cover up.

How to protect yourself - Canadian Living: • Cover up. “Keep your T-shirt on" says Rivers. Wear loose-fitting pants and long-sleeved shirts made from closely woven material for the best protection. Wear a wide-brimmed hat. And continue to use sunscreen.

Further rules for covering and protecting your head and face include:

• Head for the shade whenever possible and cover up with clothing and a wide-brimmed hat. (Look for a brim with a dark underside to prevent sun from reflecting back up onto your face.)
• Protect lips with lip balm that has at least SPF 15, and reapply every hour.
• Protect your eyes; wear sunglasses with a UV rating of 100 per cent.

The number one choice to protect your skin from sun damage is:

1: Cover Up

About one million Americans were diagnosed with some form of skin cancer in 2005. In fact, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the disease makes up one in three cancers diagnosed in this country. Fortunately, there is plenty you can do to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

One of the best things you can do is cover up. The sun's rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Stay indoors during this time, or if you must be outdoors, cover up and wear sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation says that hats and clothing made of dark, tightly woven materials absorb ultraviolet light better than cotton fabrics in lighter shades. Dry fabrics offer more protection than wet ones.

 Check web stores like Sun Protection Zone,
 the Village Hat Shop,
Solartex Sun Gear,
and the sun hat guide at Sun Protection Hats.

For articles on how-to wear a floppy hat, see this at Fashion Spot or this at FairWindSarongs.