With spring in full bloom, and summer just around the corner, I figured this would be a good time for a reminder about sun protection. Since both of my grandfathers and my father have all had skin cancer, it is something I am careful about. I realize that everyone in today's day and age has heard about UV rays, and the danger they pose; however, just knowing about the dangers doesn't seem to be enough. I am as cautious as anyone, slathering on sun block daily whenever I'm going to be outside during the summer months, but even I occasionally get caught by surprise. So with that in mind, here are a few suggestions to protect you and your family.
1. Whenever you or your children (over the age of 6 months) are going to be outside for more than 20 minutes, make sure you put on about one ounce of sun block. The skin cancer foundation suggests using a sun screen of SPF 15 or higher. SPF 15 blocks approximately 93% of all incoming UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks approximately 97%. If you have fair skin or a family history of skin cancer, that 4% can make a long term difference. For best results, apply the sun screen about 30 minutes before exposure, and reapply every two hours, or sooner if you have been swimming or sweating heavily (even if you use water resistant sun screen). Since not all sunscreens meet recommended guidelines, you may want to look for the Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation.
2. You can be burned even if it is cloudy outside. In fact, most people are more likely to get a sunburn in cloudy weather because they don't think about putting on sun block. The same is true if it is snowy outside. You may think you are safe if it's cold outside, but the snow reflects the UV rays back at you so that you get double exposure.
3. Babies under six months of age should not use sun screen since the chemicals can be harmful to their new skin. Rather, they should be kept out of the sun whenever possible. Just one blistering sunburn as a child doubles your chance of getting melanoma later in life. Since your children aren't aware of the dangers, or are incapable of protecting themselves, parents need to ensure that their kids are properly protected. More babies get sunburned during their second summer rather than their first because parents tend to become less cautious as they get older.
4. Clothing is your first line of defense. Although we tend to expose more skin during the summer, the less amount of skin exposed to the sun, the better protected you are. A light, long-sleeved shirt offers much better protection than a short-sleeved shirt no matter how much sun block you apply. With that in mind, you might want to check out those swim shirts that are becoming more popular. And don't forget to wear a hat - particularly if you are a bit sparse on top. I remember the first time I realized that I had a sunburn on top of my head - talk about adding insult to injury. Sunglasses aren't just for looking cool - the right pair can play an essential role in protecting your eyes from long term sun damage.
5. Seek shade! This is particularly important between the peak hours of 10 am - 4 pm. Of course, the most crucial time to stay out of the sun is during the early afternoon (12 pm - 2 pm). The Skin Cancer Foundation counsels against tanning, particularly tanning beds. Although it adds color to your skin, it also ages it, and puts it at greater risk to various types of skin cancer.
6. Finally, if you do still get burned despite your best efforts, I recommend that you soothe the burn with aloe. It provides immediate relief and helps the skin heal faster.
Have fun in the sun this summer, just don't get burned!
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