Summer Sun Safety

Love to have fun in the sun? There are some great reasons to get outside during the summer

months: for some fresh air, to boost our mood, and to feel the warmth on our skin. We can do activities in the summer months, such as swimming and playing in the pool, as well as going to the beach (one of my very favorite things to do).

Small amounts of sun exposure help our bodies produce vitamin D (which helps calcium absorption for stronger and healthier bones). But longer, unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause damage to our skin as well as our eyes. It can also cause cancer.

Other contributing factors, such as heredity and environment, can make us more susceptible to the sun’s damage. If you have fair skin or have family members who have had skin cancer, take extra precautions and limit your time in the sun. If you are near the equator, you are closer to the sun, which can cause damage faster. I remember going to Florida (I live in West Virginia), and everyone kept warning me that I would burn easier there. I heeded their warnings, lathered myself in sunscreen, and came home as pasty as when I left. No one believed I had spent a week under the Florida sun!

Did you know you can receive a sunburn in less than 15 minutes, although it may not show up for another two to six hours? Sunburn and excessive UV light exposure damage your skin. This damage can lead to skin cancer (the most common of all cancers) or cause premature skin aging (called photoaging). Nobody wants to look older than they are unless you’re a teenager!

I recently went to a health fair, and there was a booth where you could get your face checked to see just how much sun damage you had to your face. I didn’t use suntan lotion on my face in the past because it tended to break me out. Needless to say, I had a lot of damage. I can’t undo what damage has already been done, but now I try more to protect my face from the sun’s rays. I now wear hats or use sunscreen (I use Neutrogena Clear Face oil-free sunscreen).

Like to tan? Tanning is the skin’s response to UV light. When UV rays reach the skin, the skin

makes more melanin. Melanin is the color (pigment) that causes tanning. Tanning does not

prevent skin cancer. A suntan actually represents the skin’s response to injury from the sun. A

small amount of sun exposure is healthy and enjoyable. But too much can be dangerous. I like to look a little sun-kissed but not crispy!

Does this mean we can’t stay out in the sun? Not necessarily, but you do want to limit your

time in the sun without protection. This can be protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, or use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30 to all exposed skin. The broad spectrum means the sunscreen protects from both UVA and UVB rays. Re-apply about every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating. Remember to protect your lips with lip balm with at least SPF 15. I simply use Blistex Medicated Lip Balm.

Take special care to buy sunglasses for yourself and your family with labels stating that

they provide UV protection. This will protect your eyes as well as the delicate skin around

them. Seek shade when needed. Remember that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade. Use extra caution near water and sand. They reflect the sun's damaging rays and can increase the chances of sunburn. I was recently at the beach and used a large canvas beach umbrella to relax under. It was nice to be in the shade and feel the ocean breeze.

Examine your skin regularly. You may need help from your significant other or a family member for your back. If you notice anything changing, growing, or bleeding on your skin, see a healthcare provider right away. Don’t be afraid of what you might find out. Skin cancer is very treatable when caught early.

So, get outside and have some fun! Get some fresh air (well, it’s been a little smokey out our

way lately) and get some exercise in. Walking is a great exercise that can be tailored to your

ability. Just remember to protect your skin. After all, it's there to protect you!