Summer Sun Safety
08/09/2023
Summer Sun Safety
Sun safety should be practiced all year long, but it is especially important to practice during the summer. While sun exposure is ultimately important for your Vitamin D levels and mental health, it can also be extremely detrimental if not practiced safely.
Unsafe sun exposure can cause damage to your skin, eyes, and even immune system. The National Cancer Institute estimates that there are 1.3 million people living with melanoma in the United States. Therefore, it is important to learn the proper ways to protect against the sun, especially when it comes to children.
Sunscreen The biggest precaution is to always wear sunscreen, even in the winter. Doctors recommend applying sunscreen thirty minutes before sun exposure. You should also make sure that your sunscreen is at least SPF 30 and protects against UVA and UVB rays. It is important to know that no sunscreen is waterproof. All sunscreens should be re-applied after sweating, water exposure, or two hours after each application. Also be sure to check your sunscreen’s expiration date! The shelf life of sunscreen is usually no more than three years.
Sunglasses Protecting your eyes from harmful rays is also important. Regularly wearing sunglasses reduces the risk of cataracts and other eye problems. Your sunglasses should completely cover your eyes and have a darker tint for the best results.
Hats Hats can be an extremely easy way to protect yourself from the sun. While wide-brimmed hats provide much more sun protection than a ballcap, wearing either is good practice for sunny days. The wider the brim of the hat, the more it will protect your face, ears, neck, and scalp. For the most sun protection wear a hat with a wide brim, in a dark color, and with no weave.
Protective Clothing Dressing correctly for sun exposure can really help if you are concerned about your sunscreen application. Long sleeves and pants are ideal, but in the summer, they’re not always practical. For these times, doctors recommend finding some Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UVF) clothing. These will be more lightweight while also protecting from harmful rays.
Limit Sun Exposure The obvious way to practice sun safety in the summer is to avoid the sun altogether, but this also negates the positive effects the sun has on your physical health and mood. Therefore, it is recommended that you limit your sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. when the sun is most intense. You can also check the NOAA UV index before leaving the house. This can be found here: Climate Prediction Center - Outlooks: Current UV Index Forecast Map (noaa.gov). While out, you should also seek as much shade as possible.
Avoiding the sun during the summer is about as easy as trying to avoid the heat, but practicing sun safety is vital to your short term and long-term health. Make sure you wear sunscreen and soak up those last rays of summer!
https://www.weather.gov/news/212805_sun-safety-tips
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/sun-safety