Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, affecting one in five Americans in their lifetime.
It only takes one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence to nearly double a person’s chance of developing melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer, later in life. Yet, most cases of skin cancer can be prevented by protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. The best way to do this is by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
It is especially important to seek shade in the summer during the height of the sun when the sunlight is most intense. The adage with daylight savings time is: “Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., stay under a tree.” If on standard time, you want to seek shade between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In addition to seeking shade, wearing sun-protective clothing goes a long way in protecting you from the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can increase your risk of skin cancer. However, not all clothing is created equal when it comes to sun protection, as some garments provide better UV protection than others. The key is to look for dense fabrics and dark or bright colors and pair those with the appropriate accessories.
What to wear to protect your skin from the sun
Lightweight long-sleeved shirts and pants. It’s important to cover up as much of your skin as possible when spending time outdoors. When selecting clothing, avoid fabrics with a loose or open weave, such as lace. In addition, dark colors offer more protection than light colors. For example, a long-sleeved denim shirt provides an SPF of about 1,700, while a white T-shirt provides an SPF of about 7. In addition, if you’re at the beach or pool, keep in mind that dry clothing offers more sun protection than wet clothing. For more effective sun protection, select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label.
Sunglasses with UV protection. Sunglasses are an important part of your sun-protective wardrobe and help prevent cataracts, too. When purchasing sunglasses, always look for lenses that offer UV protection. Lenses that appear dark do not necessarily offer UV protection, so make sure to read the label before purchasing. In addition, large-framed or wraparound sunglasses offer more sun protection than aviators, for example, so be sure to consider that when selecting your sunglasses.
A wide-brimmed hat. A hat is a simple and effective way to cover up your face and neck. When selecting a hat, choose one that has a wide brim, which will protect your ears, as well as your head and neck. Avoid baseball hats or straw hats with holes, as these are not as effective in protecting you outdoors.
Shoes that cover your feet. However, if you’re wearing sandals or flip-flops or going barefoot, be sure to apply sunscreen to all exposed skin.
In addition to shade and wearing sun-protective clothing, it’s important to apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing. In a recent survey, the American Academy of Dermatology found that 65 percent of people say they often forget to reapply their sunscreen — leaving people vulnerable to dangerous ultraviolet radiation from the sun. For example, the AAD found that only about a third of Americans reapply their sunscreen every two hours while outside. Since sunscreen wears off, incorrect usage can leave you unprotected and susceptible to skin cancer.
Five common sunscreen mistakes — and how to avoid them
Ignoring the label. There are a variety of sunscreens on the market. To effectively protect yourself from the sun, the AAD recommends looking for sunscreens that are broad-spectrum, water-resistant, and have an SPF of 30 or higher.
Using too little. Most people only apply 25-50 percent of the recommended amount of sunscreen. However, to fully cover their body, most adults need about one ounce of sunscreen – or enough to fill a shot glass. Apply enough sunscreen to cover all skin that is not covered by clothing. Apply the sunscreen 15 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours while outdoors or after swimming or sweating.
Applying only in sunny weather. Alarmingly, the AAD found that only about 20 percent of Americans use sunscreen on cloudy days. However, the sun emits harmful UV rays all year long. Even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of UV rays can penetrate your skin. To protect your skin and reduce your risk of skin cancer, apply sunscreen every time you are outside, even on cloudy days.
Using an old bottle. The FDA requires that all sunscreens retain their original strength for at least three years. Throw out your sunscreen if its expired or you’re unsure how long you’ve had it. In the future, if you buy sunscreen that lacks an expiration date, write the purchase date directly on the bottle so that you know when to toss it out.
Relying solely on sunscreen. Since no sunscreen can block 100 percent of the sun’s UV rays, it’s also important to seek shade and wear sun-protective clothing, including a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection, when possible. For more effective sun protection, select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) label.
Sunscreen is the most important skin care product you can use, as it helps prevent sunburn, skin cancer and premature skin aging, including wrinkles and age spots. However, to ensure the best protection for you and your family, it’s important to follow the manufacturer’s directions.
To keep your child safe outdoors
It’s important for parents to do everything they can to protect their infants from the sun’s harmful UV rays and teach their children healthy sun care habits – starting at an early age.
Keep your baby in the shade. Shade is the best way to shield your baby from the sun, especially if they are younger than six months old. Keep your baby in the shade as much as possible, and if you can’t find shade, create your own using an umbrella, canopy or the hood of a stroller.
Dress your baby in sun-protective clothing, such as a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt and pants. In addition, make sure your baby always wears a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection.
Minimize sunscreen use on children younger than six months old. However, if shade and adequate clothing are not available, parents and caretakers may apply a minimal amount of broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to their children’s skin. Sunscreens containing titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are less likely to irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. Remember to reapply your child’s sunscreen every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating, as there is no such thing as truly “waterproof” sunscreen.
Stay safe on hot days. In addition to sun protection, stay safe on hot days by making sure your baby does not get overheated and drinks plenty of fluids. If your baby is fussy, crying excessively or has redness on any exposed skin, take them indoors immediately.
Sun protection is important at every stage of life, including infancy. Always protect yourself and your family from the sun.
Content for this article was derived from the American Academy of Dermatology Association website at aad.org. The graphic for this article is by the University of California (https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/ultimate-guide-staying-safe-sun).
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