Dr. Abdulaziz AlRashed — Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetic & Laser
Sun Protection in Kuwait
A patient advice sheet — 9 practical points. Reviewed and updated by Dr. Abdulaziz AlRashed, July 2026.
Last reviewed: July 2026
The advice
- Kuwait's sun is among the strongest worldwide: peak rays run from 10 am to 4 pm — plan outdoor activities outside this window when possible.
- Broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30+ (SPF 50+ for the face and melasma-prone skin): apply 15 minutes before going out and reapply every 2–3 hours outdoors and after sweating or swimming.
- People usually apply too little: the face and neck need the equivalent of two full finger-lengths of cream.
- Darker skin (types IV–VI) does not burn easily but pigments easily: sunscreen is essential to prevent melasma, dark spots and dark acne marks.
- Tinted sunscreens (with iron oxides) add protection against visible light — the best choice if you have melasma or pigmentation.
- Physical protection matters just as much: a wide hat, sunglasses, tightly woven clothing, and staying in the shade.
- Never use tanning beds; there is no "healthy tan" — any tan is skin damage.
- Vitamin D: harsh sun is not the safe way to raise it; testing and supplements when deficient are better — deficiency is common here despite the sun!
- Watch your skin: any changing mole or a sore that does not heal within weeks deserves examination.
See also the full treatment page: Melasma treatment — options, evidence and expected timelines.
From my Kuwait TV interview
Kuwait Television · January 2024 — Guest on an episode of Kuwait TV’s medical programme: a studio conversation on the skin as the body’s largest organ and its protective role, everyday skin care and skin-care products, and why sunscreen matters for preventing pigmentation and premature wrinkles. All my TV interviews and press articles →
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