The Summer is in Town

The Summer is in Town

Author: Masticina Akicta
Date: 23 June 2020

Summer is in Town

So the Summer has arrived, though this country luckily also offers days of gray and wind many of the days are about the sun shining. To many that is a good thing, to some like me it isn’t. It is the time we make sure we have enough UV cream, clothes that block out the sun and have to plan when we go outside.
To some Summer is a great thing, to others the day-star’s oppressive rays and heat are bad. Yet you can’t change the reality that summer is in town.
Today is a Tuesday and UV readings are reaching 8. Meaning one can burn easily within fifteen minutes unprotected.

UV Cream and Sunglasses

A common tool among vampires is UV cream and sunglasses. In my country it can get up to UV level 8, which is pretty powerful. If you go by the calculations of the exposure.
My skin is between 100 and 200 and how quick is burns. Which means that exposed to UV levels 1 [aka winter levels] I can be unprotected out for 100 to 200 minutes. But as 8 hits it is closer to 13 to 25 minutes unprotected. Luckily we have UV cream to make that longer. But even then I do get headaches and can overheat easy in the hot weather. That is why I like to stay inside and move activities into the morning or evening. Like a smart person would. Not to mention the little red heat blots showing up on my skin.
And you think clouds help, oh no, on a cloudy day you still can get level 6 exposure or more. So that is something you need to learn to deal with. Even seemingly innocent summer days can be bad news. That bottle of UV cream will be useful.
Don’t forget clothing that blocks off some of those rays.

UV Formula

I shall repeat the formula here:
The skin factor is how quick you burn or how long you can stay outside unprotected. Mine is between 100 and 200. But some have closer to 50 and others are closer to 300. It depends on your skin color and how it reacts. And yes some have closer to 0 due to skin conditions.
In the middle of the winter with UV power 1 I can be out there for 100 to 200 minutes unprotected. No troubles!
In the summer though with UV at 8 that time is cut short. By its factor 100/8 = 12 minutes and 200/8 = 25 minutes. Quite simple isn’t it?
And you can find out the UV factor on that day and area by checking the daily weather. On a good weather reporting website they also mention the UV factor.

But what if we apply UV cream. And lets say it is UV 30. And lets say that we apply it well enough to get at least half its value. [People almost never put enough UV cream on for full protection].

(200/8)*15= 375 minutes protected outside.

Simple isn’t it? Check the weather status what UV is doing, apply strong enough UV cream and most of us should be fine to a point. The sun still irritates.

Midday's in the Shadow

In the top of the midday it is the hottest, the sun is fully out. It is when I usually am inside hiding pretty much from the day star. I can go out, I don’t burst in flames, it just feels very wrong and I have a limited time I can be outside.
Being inside somewhere in the shadow is my way. I got a sister who is the other way around always trying to find the sun or even go on vacation in Sunny Countries. And yet here I am always thinking how the sun and UV will handle things. Always making sure I am inside or somewhere in the shadow. And keep an eye on the time and have UV cream with me. Yes, I can handle SOME sun but I don’t feel right with it at all.

Sunglasses

As said before it is worth repeating. Sunglasses are the key. A good set of sunglasses can help you survive outside. Of course glass goes over plastic here, as the cheapest sets you can buy usually are plastic. And a decent enough coating should do wonders.

Hydration

And lets not forget to drink enough water or healthy drink of your choice to replace what you have lost. Food is something you can fix later, but water or something like that is definitely going to help you out. Drink enough water, definitely in the hot summers. A refillable bottle of water can do wonders against potential headaches.

Mornings and Afternoons

The simplest way to deal with it is not to get out during the midday if you don’t have to. If groceries need to be done most of those shops are also open in the afternoon or morning. Setting off the right time can spare you the worst. Not to mention, it usually is a bit more silent in the stores around certain times.
Plan your day well and stay inside during the worst, if you can.