Don't let sunny days cause you pain

WE pretty much have to take the Irish summer one day at a time. The sun seems to haphazardly decide to come out and that means we should always be well stocked up with a supply of sun protection creams. Vichy Capital Soleil offers a range of sun protection products for all skin types, with protection against UVA and UVB rays. The sun experts in Vichy have put together a list of tips to help you enjoy the sun safely this summer. â€Â¢ Get up early to enjoy the sun. The sun rays are at their strongest between 11 am and 4 pm and it is advisable to take a break at this time. â€Â¢ Make sure to protect your head and eyes so as to avoid sunstroke and damage to the cornea. â€Â¢ Always start the summer season with a high factor. Try new Capital Soleil Dry Touch Emulsion SPF50, which leaves skin soft, dry and matte while offering high protection. As your skin gets used to the sun, this can be lowered, but never to below factor 15. â€Â¢ Ensure you are using a product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays cause premature skin aging while UVB rays cause cancer. â€Â¢ Make sure you reapply your sun protection cream every two hours. Even when you are not sunbathing. â€Â¢ Children, pregnant women and the elderly all need to be particularly careful. Vichy have created Capital Soleil Gentle Milk for Children SPF50+ specifically for the needs and daily lifestyle of children. â€Â¢ Be careful of the medications you are taking. These may make you more susceptible to the sun. â€Â¢ Avoid sun beds at all costs. Self-tan products can provide a beautiful glow without risking your health and prematurely aging the skin. â€Â¢ If you do spend too long in the sun, immediately cool down the area. Use an after-sun product and soothe with thermal spa water. If the sunburn is serious, seek advice from your pharmacist or physician. â€Â¢ Ten minutes of sun every day will give the recommended dosage of vitamin D. Vichy suncare products are available from Feely's Pharmacy, Tuam.