Sun Safety Tips

Have fun in the sun (just don’t forget your sunscreen!)

Sun safety is extremely important all year long, but especially in the summer when the ultraviolet (UV) rays are at their strongest. UV rays are the most common cause of skin cancer in the United States. The amount of skin cancer cases diagnosed each year is greater than all other cancers combined. So, grab your sunscreen and get ready because here comes the sun!

What is skin cancer?

There are three common types of cancer that affect the cellular level of the skin: basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and melanomas. Most of these cancers can be found early without x-rays or blood tests – all it takes is your eyes and a mirror! The common cause of these cancers is overexposure to UV rays. Too much exposure to UV rays can damage your skin’s texture, as well as cause premature skin aging and cataracts.

There are three different types of UV rays, but only two of them can reach the earth’s surface: UVA and UVB. To learn more about UV rays and the UV index, clickhere.

• UVA: More UVA rays reach the earth’s surface than any other type of UV rays. These can damage connective tissue and the skin’s DNA.
• UVB: These rays help the body produce vitamin D. Most UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer but can still cause sunburn and DNA damage.

Sun Safety Tips – Courtesy of the CDC 

Did you know that UV rays can damage your skin within 15 minutes of sun exposure? Thankfully, there are many ways that you can protect yourself and your loved ones this summer!

• Shade: Seek shelter under an umbrella, tree, or any other shade source to protect yourself during outdoor activities.
• Cover up: The ideal coverage for clothing is classified as long-sleeved shirts and long pants or skirts. However, that might not always be practical. A T-shirt or beach cover-up also works well, but you will need an additional layer of sunscreen for extra coverage!
• Heads up: It’s important to cover up your face, ears, and back of your neck with something like a dark, wide-brim hat. (If Beyoncé can do it, you can too!) If you prefer baseball hats, you will need to apply sunscreen on your ears and back of your neck.
• Wise eyes: Sunglasses are like sunscreen for your eyes! Most sunglasses sold in the United States are polarized to offer UVA and UVB protection and help reduce the risk of cataracts.

Sunscreen 101 

Obviously, we can’t talk about sun safety without talking about the importance of sunscreen! Whether it’s warm and sunny or cool and cloudy, it’s important to wear a thick layer of sunscreen on all parts of exposed skin every day to prevent sun damage.

• Reapply: Sunscreen wears off! You’ll need to reapply after being out in the sun for more than two hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
• Check the date: Even if it doesn’t have a printed expiration date, sunscreen has a shelf life of around three years. However, shelf life decreases when exposed to high temperatures. So be sure to write your own expiration date so you can keep track and stay safe!
• Take a shot: Not that kind of shot! You’ll need around a shot glass full of sunscreen to cover your entire body and a quarter to half a teaspoon for your face to get the protection you need!

Safety is Contagious