4 Essential Tips for Sun Protection

During the warm months of the year, it feels great to spend time in the sun, taking walks, playing sports, and visiting with friends. Outdoor activity reduces stress and brings the body Vitamin D which is vital to good health. However, without proper care, time spent in the sun can burn and damage the skin, and significantly raise the risk of skin cancer.

That’s why it’s important to protect your skin and eyes any time you’re in the sun, and to be aware of the risks and causes of skin cancer and sunburn, so as to safeguard your skin from potential sun damage.

Qualicare’s home health care and senior care franchises serve many people who have experienced sun damage, and we want to offer some information about staying safe & healthy in the sun. Here’s four important sun safety tips!

Protect yourself with sunscreen & clothing

Too much sun exposure is linked to 90% of skin cancers. Wearing sunscreen year-round that is broad-spectrum, and has an SPF of at least 30, is important to lessen the risk of skin cancer. Even on cloudy days, the sun’s UV rays can penetrate the skin, so it’s best to wear sunscreen at all times for the best protection. It is recommended to reapply sunscreen every two hours, and to be particularly generous if you’re doing an activity where you are sweating quite a bit.

Sunscreens are safe for children over the age of 6 months. Using sunscreen regularly as a child could greatly reduce the risk of cancer later in life. For infants under 6 months, it’s best to utilize protective clothing and shade. Small amounts of sunscreen can be used on areas such as the face and back of hands, as well, to protect the baby.

Also, it’s important to check the SPF (sun protective factor) number. The higher the number, the greater protection. All people should use sunscreen with SPF 30. However if you have had skin cancer or are at higher risk, it’s important to use sunscreen with a higher SPF.

It’s also very helpful to wear protective clothing that has a tightly woven weave & leaves you feeling cool and comfortable. A broad-brimmed hat helps to protect skin on your face. There is also special sun-protective clothing sold by some companies which block UV rays. And, don’t forget about your eyes! Be sure that any sunglasses worn block both types of UV radiation – UVA and UVB rays.

Check the UV index

To prevent sunburn and lessen the possibility of developing skin cancer, avoid being in the sun during the midday, from around 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The United States UV Environmental Protection Agency has an online UV index where anyone can check the UV ray intensity. Some weather apps also track UV rays, so don’t hesitate to check to see how intense the rays will be before stepping out. If the UV index is higher than 3, be sure to wear sunscreen.

Understand the risks of skin cancer

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer, and in the United States, 3.3 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer every year, according to the American Cancer Society. In fact, 20% of all people will experience skin cancer at some point in their lives. Risk of skin cancer increases if an individual has fair skin, spends a lot of time in the sun, has a history of sunburns, has a large number of moles, and uses a tanning bed. Most skin cancers develop because of too much ultraviolet (UV) light. UV rays are a type of radiation that damages skin cells. UV rays come from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps.

There are three main types of skin cancer. Basal Cell Carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer, resulting in 80% of the total cases. This type of skin cancer is treated by minor surgery or a local treatment. Next is Squamous Cell Carcinoma, which accounts for 19% of the cases of skin cancer, and it is also treated with minor surgery or a topical medication. If skin cancer is diagnosed, thankfully a variety of treatments exist. As with all cancers, treatment will have the best results if the skin cancer is diagnosed early on.

Melanoma is the most serious form of skin cancer, but thankfully is only about 1% of the cases. About nine thousand people die of melanoma every year, and treatment usually includes surgery, chemotherapy or radiation, depending on how severe the case is. Check out this great infographic from the Mayo Clinic for more information about the different types of skin cancer.

Skin cancer shows up in many different types of skin abnormalities. The Mayo Clinic writes that everyone should check their skin regularly and report any changes in skin appearance to a doctor. It’s important to know what your skin looks like, and to know what the size and shape of moles, freckles, birthmarks, and bumps are, and if any changes have occurred. Using a mirror you can check your face, neck, and the back of your body and ears. To examine yourself, don’t forget to check the soles of your feet and spaces between your toes, as well as genital area and between buttocks.

Understand how sunburns affect the body

A sunburn occurs when the skin has been in the sun for too long. Cells and blood vessels in the skin become damaged, and with repeated sun damage, skin begins to look dry, discolored, leathery, and of course wrinkled. The skin is weakened by sunburns, and it can bruise more easily. And as we already mentioned, frequent sunburns are linked to skin cancer in later life. Most sunburns are first degree burns, and heal within 2-3 weeks. A great treatment for a sunburn is to soothe your skin with aloe vera, and a cool environment!