Is there anything more fun than the balmy, sunny spring days? After a seemingly endless series of cold, gray days, people of all ages long for a season of fun in the sun. And just as surely as the seasons change and the sun shines, we can be sure to hear the warnings to protect our skin from sun damage.
No one should ignore the advice about sun protection. Both non-melanoma skin cancers and melanomas are associated with exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. While skin cancer is the most serious consequence of sun exposure, it is not the only one. Skin changes that usually accompany the aging process — sagging skin, wrinkles, dryness, discoloration — are actually caused by UV rays, which over time break down fibers in the skin making it elastic.
We cannot prevent all sun exposure, but there are simple steps we can take to minimize the risk. Everyone knows the basics – use sunscreen, wear a hat and stay out of the sun between 10am and 4pm – but not all sunscreens are equally protective and not all hats are. Here are some additional tips to protect your skin from damage this summer:
Use water-resistant, broad-spectrum sun protection with an SPF of 50 or more per day, even if it's cloudy. Apply liberally before getting dressed and at least thirty minutes before going out. Reapply every two hours, more often if you've been swimming or perspiring. Don't use old sunscreen – the active ingredients lose their potency after a year or two.
Don't rely on makeup for sun protection. Even with SPF, makeup doesn't bond to both the skin and sunscreen, fade and don't apply thick enough to be effective.
A baseball cap offers insufficient protection against the sun! Wear a hat with a brim of at least 7 centimeters.
Wear clothes that are densely woven and dark in color or consider specially made sun-protective clothing made from fabrics infused with radiation-absorbing chemicals. Look for a UV Protection Factor (UPF) of 30 or higher.
UV radiation can damage not only the skin of the eyelid, but also the cornea, lens and other parts of the eye. Wear good sized sunglasses – all year round – that protect 99-100% UVA and UVB rays.
Avoid tanning beds and sun lamps. They also give off UVA and mostly UVB rays.
Babies under six months of age should be kept completely out of the sun and well protected with a hat and clothing when outdoors. For babies over 6 months old, when they go outside, make sure to use sunscreen with physical blockers such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide and an SPF of at least 50.
