The Skinny on Sun Protection
by Letitia Holloway Owens

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I know you are scratching your head wondering, "Why is she writing something about sunscreen?" The answer? We have to protect ourselves from the sun too!

Spring has sprung and with spring flowers, we also get to enjoy an abundance of sunshine. The sunrays given to us by our Heavenly Father, while beautiful and energizing, can also be harmful if we don't take the necessary precautions. Over 1 million people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year. As a result, it is the most common form of cancer. Here are some facts, as well as a few tips to make sure you can enjoy the outdoors but also avoid sun damage.

What is Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation?

This is the form of radiation that comes from the sun and actually reaches the Earth. In addition to increasing the risk of skin cancer, there is also an increased risk of developing cataracts and other eye problems.

There are two main types of UV radiation; UVA and UVB.

• Short-term exposure leads to sunburn and tanning.
• Long-term exposure leads to premature skin aging, wrinkles, dark patches (also called age spots or liver spots), and skin cancer.
• Research has shown that both UVA and UVB can cause skin damage and skin cancer.

Are Some People More Prone to Sun Damage?

According to the American Cancer Society, "Everyone's skin and eyes can be damaged by the sun and other UV rays. Although people with light skin are more likely to have sun damage, darker skinned people, including African Americans and Hispanic Americans, also can be affected".

How Do I Protect Myself?

Limit direct sun exposure during midday

The sun is strongest usually between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. If you must be outdoors, protect your skin.

UV rays can pass through water, so don't assume you're safe if you're in the water and feeling cool. Be especially careful on the beach and in the snow because sand and snow reflect sunlight, increasing the amount of UV radiation you receive.

You can check the UV Index at the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center's home page Current UV Index Forecast.

Cover up

Wear clothing to protect as much skin as possible. Dark colors provide more protection than light colors. A tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven clothing.

Wear a hat

A hat with at least a 2- to 3-inch brim all around is ideal because it protects areas often exposed to the sun, such as the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp.

IMPORTANT NOTE: A baseball cap can protect the front and top of the head but not the back of the neck or the ears, where skin cancers commonly develop.

Use a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of 15 or higher; use it regularly and properly

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Sunscreens come in a variety of forms including lotions and gels.

Make sure the sunscreen is labeled "broad-spectrum" which means it protects against UVA and UVB.

Experts recommend products with an SPF of at least 15. The SPF number represents the level of sunburn protection provided by the sunscreen - a higher number means more protection.

It is important to remember that sunscreen does not give you total protection. When using an SPF 15 and applying it correctly, you get the equivalent of 1 minute of burning UV rays for each 15 minutes you spend in the sun. So, 8 hours in the sun wearing SPF 15 sunscreen is the same as spending 32 minutes unprotected. For high-glare situations, a higher SPF sunscreen or zinc oxide may be used on your nose and lips.

Products labeled "waterproof" provide protection for at least 80 minutes even when swimming or sweating.

Products that are "water resistant" may provide protection for only 40 minutes.

Apply sunscreen generously to dry skin 20 to 30 minutes before going outside so the chemicals have time to absorb into your skin. When applying it, pay particular attention to your face, ears, hands, and arms, and generously coat the skin that is not covered by clothing. If you're wearing insect repellant or makeup, sunscreen should be applied before those products.

Do not use sunscreens on babies younger than 6 months. Instead, use hats, clothing, and shading to protect small babies from the sun.

**Many hair care products also contain sunscreen so be sure to read the label so that you can protect those lovely, locks.

Wear sunglasses that block UV rays

Research has shown that long hours in the sun without eye protection increases the chances of developing eye disease. UV-blocking sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage.

The ideal sunglasses do not have to be expensive, but they should block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation. Check the label to be sure they do.

Darker glasses are not necessarily better because the UV protection comes from an invisible chemical applied to the lenses, not from the color or darkness of the lenses. Look for the label.

Note changes in your skin

Be sure to check your skin regularly for signs of sun damage. If you have moles, make sure they do not change in their appearance. If you have concerns, be sure to contact your dermatologist.

So the lesson is...Protect yourself from overexposure always, even on overcast or cloudy days.

Be Blessed and Be Healthy, Letitia

Source: American Cancer Society

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