We all enjoy a little fun in the sun during the summer, but too much sun exposure can lead to serious health issues, including skin cancer.
In addition, sunburn is not only painful but reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat. Shield your skin and reduce your risk of harmful sun damage with these sun safety tips.
Protect your skin
Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or greater every day, rain or shine—the sun’s blazing rays go right through clouds. Be sure to check the product label for “broad spectrum” to ensure protection against both UVA and UVB rays.
Reapply often
Apply about one ounce of sunscreen to exposed skin at least 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Don’t forget the five commonly missed areas.These spots are often overlooked when applying sunscreen: The head (scalp and hairline), ears, feet (tops and sides), back of the hands, and lips.
Cover up
Wear a hat with at least a 3-inch brim and wear loose fitting, full-length cotton clothing with a tight weave.
Seek shade
Stay in the shade whenever possible and limit sun exposure during peak intensity hours (between 10 a.m. and 4p.m).
Keep babies out of the sun as much as possible
Dress children under 1 year old in lightweight, light-colored clothing with long sleeves and long pants and always cover their head. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents also apply sunscreen with an SPF 15 to small areas like the face and back of the hands if protective clothing and shade are not available.
Protect your eyes
Ultraviolet radiation causes cataracts, macular degeneration, and melanoma of the eye. When buying sunglasses, look for a label that specifically offers 99 to 100 percent UV protection (which includes both UVA and UVB).
Check the UV index
Visit www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html to check the UV index forecast for your area. The UV Index, developed by the National Weather Service and EPA, indicates the strength of solar UV radiation on a scale from 1 (low) to 11+ (extremely high).
Use this index as a guide when planning your outdoor activities for the day to prevent overexposure to the sun.
Be extra careful near water and sand. Water and sand reflect the sun’s rays, which can increase your chance of sunburn.