Sun Safety
Did you know that sunburned or tanned skin is damaged skin?
Sunburns and tans are a result of too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (rays) from the sun. Even when a sunburn or tan fades, the damage caused to skin cells does not. The effects cannot be reversed. These effects include skin cancer and early aging of the skin -- wrinkles, age spots, etc.
Exposure to the sun’s rays happens when you’re doing everyday things like biking, gardening, and walking. People who have jobs that require them to work outside are more likely than anybody else to get skin cancer.
UV exposure adds up over time and increases the risk of developing skin cancer. Sun protection should start at an early age.
Here are a few ways to stay sun safe!
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat. This will give you the best protection. If you’re wearing a baseball cap or a short-sleeved shirt, make sure to put sunscreen on your ears, neck, and arms.
- Stay in the shade as much as possible between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. These are peak times for sunlight.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen on any exposed skin. Be sure it is at least SPF 15. Apply the sunscreen to dry skin 15-30 minutes before going outdoors. Re-apply it every two hours -- and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
- Wear extra sun-protective clothing around surfaces like snow, sand, water, and concrete. These reflect the sun’s rays and could increase your risk of sunburn.
- If you work outdoors, ask about sun protection at your job, like wearing sun-protective clothing.
- Follow these tips on cloudy days, too! Clouds do not block most UV rays.
- Avoid indoor tanning.
