It’s that time of year again, but before you rush out in the sun, take a minute to learn some basic sun safety. You have heard about the need to protect yourself from the sun all of your life, but things have changed. We know now that some of the old standbys do not really offer protection and can give you a false sense of security.
Apply Sunscreen Properly
Sunscreen helps prevent sunburn today and skin cancer in the years to come, but only if you use it properly. Most people don’t.
- You need to apply it to your entire body, not just the skin that will be exposed, because UV rays penetrate normal fabrics. You can buy special sun protective clothing, and there are laundry products which can increase your clothing’s ultraviolet protection factor (UPF).
- Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before going out in the sun. It is not immediately effective.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours or immediately after swimming or heavy sweating.
Shade and Clouds Are Not Enough
If you think that sitting in the shade will protect you, you may wind up badly burned. Sand, water, concrete, light colored rocks or gravel, and other reflective surfaces can create enough sun exposure to cause a burn just like direct sunlight.
Overcast days are dangerously deceptive. About 80% of the sun’s rays can penetrate through the clouds causing sunburn and skin damage.
Glass Will Not Protect You
Even though you may not get a sunburn, you still absorb damaging rays in your car or sitting near a window all day. Glass filters out UVB rays, but not UVA. The UVA rays penetrate deeper into your skin where they cause premature aging and increase your risk of developing skin cancer.
A Tan is Not OK
Getting a tan may protect you from the pain and misery of a sunburn, but it does not protect you from skin cancer and premature aging. A suntan is sun damage.
