Cricket equipment – protect your skin

An essential piece of cricket equipment is total sunblock

What is sunburn?

Sunburn is the damaging effect on the skin of the ultraviolet (UV) light contained in sunlight. With too much exposure to UV light, your skin overheats and becomes red and painful, and may later peel or blister.  Whenever you watch test cricket you will see the players looking like something out of a bad Western – with various coloured stripes across their noses.  This is because they don’t want their game impaired by sunburn.  They know that a vital piece of their cricket equipment is sunblock.

How is it caused?

Ultraviolet light causes changes in the surface and in the deeper layers of the skin. It reduces the stretchiness of the skin and can cause premature aging and wrinkling of the skin, as well as the formation of age spots. Deeper in the skin, it causes changes in the structure of cells, and increases the risk of skin cancers.  Sunblock is an inexpensive item and it could reduce your risk of getting cancer.  Cricket on the village green is a quintessentially English pastime, but spectators and players should pack a high factor sun lotion along with the cricket equipment and the picnic.

Melanin

When your skin is exposed to sunlight, it produces a pigment called melanin to help protect itself against ultraviolet light. This is what makes your skin go darker and is what you see as a suntan. It stops you burning so easily but doesn't prevent the other harmful effects of UV such as premature aging and cancer. The less melanin you have, the less protected you are against the effects of UV light. If you enjoy outdoor pursuits such as walking, cycling or cricket, equipment you should carry with you includes a bottle of water to prevent dehydration, a hat and sun lotion.  If you have fair skin or red hair, or have not been in the sun much, you have less melanin so are more likely to burn quickly.

Burning through the clouds

Sunburn doesn't just happen in hot weather - reflection of light off the snow can also cause sunburn, which is why it’s important to protect any exposed skin when ski-ing or snowboarding. Although a breeze, a cloudy sky or swimming may make you feel cooler, the sunlight can still get through to damage your skin.  For mild sunburn, apply a moisturising lotion or a special aftersun cream from a pharmacy. Aftersun helps to cool the skin as well as moisturising and relieving the feeling of tightness. Calamine lotion can also be used to relieve itching and soreness.

Sports HQ is the European division for Confidence Sporting Goods, inc., the famous manufacturer from Palm Springs, California. We sell a huge range of sporting equipment, including cricket equipment. Because we sell directly to you, you can expect to save up to 70% on normal retail prices when buying from us. Call us today on 01527 598388 for more information or to place an order.