Sunny side up   Break free this summer. Bring out those fragrant deos, dab sunscreen and condition your hair. Now you are all set to enjoy the sun, sand and the surf

It’s that time of the year when the temperature is at a mercurial high. Whether you want to be a buff-bodied, sun-bronzed Adonis on the beaches of Brazil, soak in the sun on the sidewalks of Saint-Tropez or just be the sporty sort who wants to take in the sun, sand and surf in Goa, the sweltering summer season is meant for fun.

But there are certain precautions that you need to take to prevent sunburn, avoid over-tanning and to minimise the risk of skin cancer from ultraviolet rays in the long term. You first need to analyse your skin type and then accordingly choose products and the level of protection that is required for your skin.

So exactly how do we choose our sun care protection? Each individual’s photosensitivity is different,
depending upon his capacity to tan in the sun or develop sunburn and is also characterised by the colour of his skin. Appropriate sun protection, depending on the phototype of your skin, should be chosen. Phototype I consists of extremely delicate skin that never tans but always burns. Phototype II comprises highly delicate skin that tans slightly and burns very often. Phototype III incorporates
medium delicate skin that tans gradually and burns often. Phototype IV is the normal skin that tans easily, but rarely burns. Phototype V consists of thick strong skin that tans very easily, but burns
very rarely. There are no absolute rules, but each phototype requires different levels of sun protection
factor (SPF) in differing temperatures (see box).

Indian skin, which generally falls in Phototype IV and V category, does not burn as quickly as its fair counterpart, but constant sun exposure can lead to a host of skin care ills, hyperpigmentation being one of them.

Here are some other recommendations that will keep your skin healthy and supple after all the swimming sessions and pool parties this summer.

• Choose a product according to your skin type, but also according to the holiday destination. Do you know that you receive one-third more ultraviolet rays in the south of France than at La Baule in Southern Brittany?