June is National Sun Safety Month!
June 5th-11th: National Sun Safety week
Summer is here, longer days, shorter nights and more time in the sun. That means taking the appropriate precautions: apply sun block, stay hydrated, wear appropriate clothing to shield skin, be informed, tell family and friends!
The Harm of UV Exposure
• Sunburns can happen, even on a cloudy day.
• On average, children get 3 times more sun exposure than adults.
• Sand, water, concrete and snow reflect 85% to 90% of the sun’s UV rays.
• Depletion of Earth’s ozone continues to increase your exposure to UV rays.
Skin Cancer
• In some parts of the world, melanoma is increasing at rates faster than any other cancer.
• More than 1.2 million new cases of skin cancer are diagnosed each year in the US.
• Melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, kills one person every hour.
• One blistering sunburn can double a child’s lifetime risk of developing skin cancer.
Sun Safety Tips:
It’s natural and healthy to enjoy outdoor activities! The Sun Safety Alliance (SSA) encourages you to be safe by following these sun-safety tips year-round to help prevent serious skin damage—and possibly skin cancer.
• Keep in mind the sun is strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Wear clothing that’s dark and tightly woven.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
• Remember that UV rays bounce off sand, snow, concrete, and water.
• Do not use sun tanning beds.
• Keep very young children (6 months or less) out of the sun.
• Sunscreens need to be applied liberally and evenly over all exposed areas.
• Apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher whenever you’re outdoors. To achieve adequate UV protection you should use products that provide broad spectrum - protection against UVB and UVA rays. Look for products that provide an SPF of 15 or more and contain ingredients Avobenzone (Parsol 1789) or zinc oxide.
• For children, the SSA recommends sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher.
• Apply sunscreen before going outdoors and reapply often.
• Reapply sunscreen after swimming, perspiring, and toweling off.
• Provide complete sunscreen coverage for your skin (including neck, ears and lips!).
• For people with thin or thinning hair, apply sunscreen to the scalp as well.
• And remember…stay in the shade whenever possible!
Article derived from The Sun Safety Alliance.
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