Tanning in Phuket: How to Get Results and Not Ruin Your Vacation
Today we will discuss one of the difficulties that all visitors to Phuket face (especially those who come to this beautiful island for the first time). What simple rules will help to avoid burns on the first day and throughout the vacation?
Don't rush to get a tan
At the beginning of your visit to Phuket, it is recommended to limit your time in direct sunlight to 15-20 minutes. If you know that you get sunburned quickly, then it is worth reducing your first visit to 10-15 minutes. Remember: even southerners often underestimate the aggressiveness of the Phuket sun.
The right cream is the key to success
It is necessary to choose a face cream with a high SPF level to provide reliable protection from the sun's rays. Start with a cream with the maximum SPF100 to provide the skin with maximum protection, then gradually reduce the SPF level. Creams with a level of SPF30 and up are suitable; smaller ones should not even take up space in your luggage. Also, do not take tanning oils - the sun is too hot without them.
Prepare in advance for sun exposure
Apply the cream 20 minutes before leaving the house so that it has time to be absorbed and begin to act on the skin. Without this, the effect will be insufficient and the risk of getting burns will remain.
Maintain protection throughout the day
Don't skimp on the products - apply them in the right amount and reapply every 2-3 hours. After this period of time, the effectiveness of sunscreens decreases by half or even more, especially if you swim in the sea/pool or play sports. If you don't want to constantly smear creams, clothes with UV protection will come to the rescue. Please note that these are not just white shirts that let the sun's rays through. Clothes with a protective factor of SPF50 can be purchased at beach tents or sports shops. A huge selection of beachwear for children and adults with protection in the Decathlon store, the prices there are quite reasonable.
Avoid sunbathing between 10am and 4pm.
During this period, the sun's activity reaches its peak, and you can get a sunburn even in a couple of minutes. Scientists constantly remind about the harm of sun rays at this time. We strongly advise against sunbathing outdoors during these hours, it is better to hide from the sun.
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Cloudiness is not a reason to be distracted
Phuket is 800 km from the equator, so the risk of getting sunburned remains high, even if the sky is covered with clouds or if you are relaxing in the shade. In principle, the skin tans faster in water. Even in cloudy weather, about 40% of the sun's ultraviolet radiation reaches the ground. Clean sand and water, like a mirror, reflect it, and these reflected rays, together with the usual ones, increase the dose of "radiation".
Not all areas of the body burn equally.
Remember that the back, face, décolleté and shoulders are the first to get sunburned, so these areas should be treated with products with a high level of protection. On the face, such areas are the nose and ears. After swimming, we recommend using a hat and throwing a light cloth (pareo, shirt, tunic) over your shoulders: this will provide additional protection for the skin from direct sunlight. Don't forget to wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
What to do if you get burned
In case of minor burns, aloe vera gel is excellent: the extract of this plant moisturizes and cools the skin. It should be applied as a compress, after cooling it down. After about 30 minutes, be sure to wash off the remains with sweat.
After this, it is recommended to use a soothing cream with panthenol. Important: aloe will not cope with serious burns alone!
In case of severe burns, it is necessary to use special creams, such as Esperson or Mebo (note the contraindications, the products are strong). You can also use the more familiar Panthenol. These products are available for purchase in pharmacies on the island.
It is strictly forbidden to use scrubs, soap, oil, Vaseline. Also avoid pain-relieving ointments that contain lidocaine and benzocaine, as they can complicate the recovery process and damage the skin even more.
If you feel tired and groggy after spending time in the sun, electrolytes can help (they are sold at 7/11 and any supermarket, as well as in pharmacies).
There are ready-made drinks - look for them in the refrigerators of supermarkets. There are many of them from different manufacturers and with different flavors.
And also powders for dilution in water, they are usually sold at the checkout or you can show a photo to the seller and they will give you analogues.
If you experience fever, chills, swelling, nausea and dry mouth, seek medical attention immediately. In case of severe dehydration, only an IV drip administered in the hospital can help you recover. It is worth checking in advance whether your insurance covers heat strokes. If not, you will have to pay for and interact with doctors entirely yourself.
Where to go if your encounter with the Phuket sun was too hot
If sea walks are uncomfortable, it is better to go on one of the bus excursions or visit the evening shows . You can also spend time in the oceanarium or one of the shopping centers of Phuket.
