Summer Sun Safety Tips
Summer has finally arrived! With the sun shining bright, it’s the perfect time to highlight July as UV Safety Awareness Month!
Learn how to protect yourself and your family from UV rays and enjoy the sun and outdoors safely.
What is UV Radiation?
UV radiation is made up of UVA and UVB rays which can cause damage to your skin. It can lead to skin cancer as well as premature aging of your skin.
We can measure the harmful UV rays known as the UV index. The higher the UV index the greater risk of skin injury. Some studies suggest a UVI of greater than 3, others suggest a UVI of 6, are considered harmful and sun protection is advocated. The UV index can change throughout the day and it is important to understand that exposure time and skin type are important for predicting risk of skin injury. There are several phone apps that can report real time UVI: GlobalUV, uv2Day, and UV-indeks.
How to Protect Yourself this Summer
Be Smart when out in the sun! The American Cancer Society recommends this catch phrase to help remind you about sun safety, “Slip! Slop! Slap!® and Wrap”.
Slip on a shirt.
Slop on sunscreen.
Slap on a hat.
Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and skin around them.
Some additional tips include:
Seek shade
An obvious but very important way to limit your exposure to UV light is to avoid being outdoors in direct sunlight too long. This is particularly important between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, when UV light is strongest. If you aren't sure how strong the sun’s rays are, use the shadow test: if your shadow is shorter than you are, the sun’s rays are the strongest, and it’s important to protect yourself.
Protect your skin with clothing
When you are out in the sun, wear clothing to cover your skin. Clothes provide different levels of UV protection. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts cover the most skin and are the most protective. Dark colors generally provide more protection than light colors. A tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven clothing. Dry fabric is generally more protective than wet fabric.
Use sunscreen
Sunscreen is a product that you put on your skin to protect it from the sun’s UV rays. But it’s important to know that sunscreen is just a filter – it does not block all UV rays. Sunscreen should not be used as a way to prolong your time in the sun. Even with proper sunscreen use, some UV rays still get through. Because of this, sunscreen should not be thought of as your first line of defense. Consider sunscreen as one part of your skin cancer protection plan, especially if staying in the shade and wearing protective clothing aren’t available as your first options.
Wear a hat
A hat with at least a 2- to 3-inch brim all around is ideal because it protects areas that are often exposed to intense sun, such as the ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp. A dark, non-reflective underside to the brim can also help lower the amount of UV rays reaching the face from reflective surfaces such as water. A shade cap (which looks like a baseball cap with about 7 inches of fabric draping down the sides and back) also is good, and will provide more protection for the neck. These are often sold in sporting goods and outdoor supply stores. If you don’t have a shade cap (or another good hat) available, you can make one by wearing a large handkerchief or bandana under a baseball cap.
Wear sunglasses that block UV rays
UV-blocking sunglasses are important for protecting the delicate skin around the eyes, as well as the eyes themselves. Research has shown that long hours in the sun without protecting your eyes increase your chances of developing certain eye diseases.
Protect children from the sun
Children need special attention. They tend to spend more time outdoors, can burn more easily, and may not be aware of the dangers. Parents and other caregivers should protect children from excess sun exposure by using the steps above. You should develop the habit of using sunscreen on exposed skin for yourself and your children whenever you go outdoors and may be exposed to large amounts of sunlight.
Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps
Many people believe the UV rays of tanning beds are harmless. This is NOT true. Tanning lamps give out UVA and usually UVB rays as well. Both UVA and UVB rays can cause long-term skin damage, and can contribute to skin cancer. Tanning bed use has been linked with an increased risk of melanoma, especially if it started before age 30.
What to do if you are Concerned about Skin Cancer
If you are concerned about your skin or have one or more risk factors for skin cancer, it is important to see your dermatologist. Dr. Rani and the Advanced Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine team can perform a skin cancer screening and evaluate if you need further treatment. You can schedule an appointment for skin screening online.
In honor of UV safety month, we’re offering 20% off all sunscreens from our online shop! Use SUN20 promo code. If you’re stocking up and your order is over $100, use SHIP100 for free shipping! Offer expires 08/31/2021.