Sun Protection Hats--It's Not Just About Sunscreen

There is an angry villain above us, glaring down day after day. Because it gives us the energy we need to survive as a planet, we have a difficult truce with this demon. People find they want nothing more than to frolic when confronted with the seduction of it's warmth and joy. It has become a symbol of vacation plans and school holidays and is always pictured in children's shows with a large, welcoming smile. Beach-goers fail to realize all that's in store from the rays of this tantalizing tormenter, including pain, illness and perhaps death. Those who do not take heed are destined to feel the wrath of pink pain at the very least--the sun is not kind to those who enjoy their day of frolic without care.

Ignoring UV rays is not a good idea--although this planet's distance from the sun is the reason for all life on Earth, it is also doing a fair amount of damage. Melanoma rates are increasing more than any other cancer in some places and over 1.2 million new cases are diagnosed every year in the US. As the ozone in the atmosphere continues to be depleted, the rays that penetrate to the unsuspecting people below increase. Without care, these problems can only be expected to increase as well.

UV rays are present even when the sun is playing hide and seek with the clouds and the overall temperature is low. The reflective nature of the ground also increases sun exposure. Twice-baked humans stand in the middle on reflective surfaces that bounce the rays back up, including light colored sand and cement, snow and water. Because the reflected rays are strongest close to the ground, children can get as much as three times the sun exposure that adults do.

The worst case scenario is far greater than the discomfort of light sunburn. A more serious sunburn resulting in blisters can double a person's risk for skin cancer during their lifetime, particularly if it happens while they're children. It is even possible to be poisoned by the sun, resulting in nausea, headaches and dehydration. In what is commonly known as sun stroke or heat exhaustion, the body begins to sweat profusely to try to keep the body cool and ends up rapidly dehydrating, which can send the body into shock. It is possible to die from severe sunburn and fashion hats for kids could really help when you bring your kids out.

Sunscreen is important, but proper covering like kids hats can do a great deal more than any lotion. Long sleeve rashies, swimwear that covers the arms, can protect the top of the back and the shoulders where the sun beats down particularly hard. Humans lose a great deal of their body heat through the top of their head and a sun hat provides an air gap that keeps the sun from beating down on this necessary process so that the body can better regulate its own temperature while simultaneously shading the head, neck and face. Fun and fashionable, childrens hats are also fundamental--they are the best hope people have of preventing sunburn and future skin cancer, especially for kids.