Summer is here, longer days, shorter nights and more time in the sun. That means taking the appropriate precautions: apply sun block, stay hydrated, wear appropriate clothing to shield skin, be informed, tell family and friends!
The Sun Safety Alliance, a non-profit dedicated to reducing the incidence of skin cancer and creating national awareness says that skin care has never been more important than now.
Consider these facts:
- No one is immune to the sun’s harmful rays.
- More than 90% of skin cancers occur on sun-exposed skin.
- Over 1 million new skin cancers are diagnosed annually.
- In some parts of the world, melanoma is increasing at rates faster than any other cancer.
- You can sunburn even on a cloudy day.
- One blistering sunburn can double a child’s lifetime risk of developing skin cancer.
This does not mean you should avoid all outdoor activities, it means you need to be prepared for yourself and family. How can you do this? Below is a short list of recommendations from the Sun Safety Alliance:
- Keep in mind the sun is strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.
- Wear clothing that’s dark and tightly woven.
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
- Remember that UV rays bounce off sand, snow, concrete, and water.
- Do not use sun tanning beds.
- Keep very young children (6 months or less) out of the sun.
- Sunscreens need to be applied liberally and evenly over all exposed areas.
- Apply a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher whenever you’re outdoors. To achieve adequate UV protection you should use products that provide broad spectrum protection, which means protection against both UVB and UVA rays. For broad spectrum protection, look for products that provide an SPF of at least 15 and contain ingredients like Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) or zinc oxide.
- For children, the SSA recommends sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher.
- Reapply sunscreen after swimming, perspiring, and toweling off.
- Provide complete sunscreen coverage for your skin (including neck, ears and lips!).
- For people with thin or thinning hair, apply sunscreen to the scalp as well.
- And remember stay in the shade whenever possible!
For more information please contact the Sun Safety Alliance located at:
Sun Safety Alliance
1856 Old Reston Avenue
Suite 215
Reston, VA 20190
Phone: (703) 481-1414
www.sunsafetyalliance.org
For more information please email info@sunsafetyalliance.org
[...] Sun safety and overexposure to the sun can lead to negative health consequences. Stay hydrated, remember to wear sun screen and avoid over-exertion when possible. [...]