Sun Smarts: Keeping Safe Under the Summer Sun
Sunshine beckons us outdoors as the days lengthen and school takes a break. While soaking up rays can boost our mood, vitamin D levels, and activity levels, it's crucial to shield ourselves from the sun's hidden danger: skin cancer.
Skin cancer arises when cells multiply uncontrollably. There are different types, the most common being basal and squamous cell carcinomas. These are usually treatable. The third type, melanoma, is the most aggressive, with a higher risk of spreading. All skin cancers originate in a specific layer of the skin.
The culprit behind most skin cancers? Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. Invisible to the naked eye, UV rays come from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps. Their power to damage skin cells is year-round, not just a summer concern. UV rays penetrate clouds and bounce off surfaces like water, sand, and snow.
To minimize your risk of skin cancer, embrace sun safety! Combining multiple strategies offers the best defense.
Seek Shade: Find refuge underneath an umbrella, tree, or any protective cover to limit UV exposure.
Cover Up: When possible, opt for long-sleeved shirts and pants. Tightly woven fabrics provide superior protection, and darker colors offer more shielding than lighter ones.
Hat It Up: A wide-brimmed hat is your sun-smart friend, safeguarding your face, ears, and neck. Skip straw hats that allow sunlight to peek through. Baseball caps require extra sun protection for ears and neck with sunscreen and seeking shade.
Eye on Eyewear: Sunglasses shielding against UVA and UVB rays not only protect your eyes from cataracts but also safeguard the delicate skin around them.
Sunscreen Savvy: Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher. Apply liberally and enlist help for hard-to-reach areas. Remember, sunscreen needs reapplication – every two hours, after swimming or sweating, and after toweling off. Check expiration dates too!
Make sun safety a habit, not just this summer, but all year long. Your skin will thank you!
Jackson County: Healthy People, Strong Community