August is Summer Sun Safety Month
Your skin is your body's largest organ, and it's your first line of defense against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation from sunlight. But if you're not careful, the sun can cause damage to your skin and lead to skin cancer.
August is Summer Sun Safety Month, which makes this a good time to learn the signs of sun damage and remember the ways you can protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of ultraviolet, or UV, radiation from sunlight, according to the CDC.
Take note that taking steps to protect yourself from the sun is a year-round responsibility. Protect yourself and others from the sun with shade, a shirt, or sunblock (SPF 15+) all year long.
History of Summer Sun Safety Month
Summer Sun Safety Month is observed as a reminder to keep yourself safe and healthy in the sun during the summer. Sunlight is essential for your body to produce vitamin D. But, too much of it can cause harmful effects to your skin and eyes. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet (U.V.) light causes most skin cancers. It can also lead to cataracts and eye cancer. So, precautions are necessary to reduce the risk of getting skin or eye diseases while you’re having fun in the summer.
The U.V. rays are reportedly at their strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Protection from U.V. rays is necessary, especially during the summer. To protect your skin, it’s better to put on a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (S.P.F.) value of 30 or higher and reapply it every two hours or every one hour if you are swimming. You may also consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat, a long-sleeved shirt, and long pants or skirts to cover your body as much as possible. Also, you can bring an umbrella if you see fit.
Another must-have for the summer is sunglasses. Sunglasses can serve as a fashion statement, but their main objective is to protect your eyes from U.V. radiation. They can also shield the sensitive skin around your eyes and reduce the risk of cataracts and eye cancer. You need to make sure that they block at least 99% of U.V.A. and U.V.B. rays. In addition to those protections, you need to make sure to stay hydrated because your body tends to lose fluids quickly in the sun. Now you can enjoy your summer at ease.
What is UV Radiation?
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a form of non-ionizing radiation that is emitted by the sun and artificial sources, such as tanning beds. While it has some benefits for people, including the creation of Vitamin D, it also can cause health risks.
- Our natural source of UV radiation:
- The sun
- Some artificial sources of UV radiation include:
- Tanning beds
- Mercury vapor lighting (often found in stadiums and school gyms)
- Some halogen, fluorescent, and incandescent lights
- Some types of lasers
UV radiation is classified into three primary types: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC), based on their wavelengths. Almost all of the UV radiation that reaches the earth is UVA though some UVB radiation reaches the earth. UVA and UVB radiation can affect health, but UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and is more constant throughout the year.
Sunburn is a sign of short-term overexposure, while premature aging and skin cancer are side effects of prolonged UV exposure. UV exposure increases the risk of potentially blinding eye diseases if eye protection is not used. Overexposure to UV radiation can lead to serious health issues, including cancer.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer. Typically, they form on the head, face, neck, hands, and arms because these body parts are the most exposed to UV radiation. Most cases of melanoma, the deadliest kind of skin cancer, are caused by exposure to UV radiation.
Anyone can have harmful health effects from UV radiation, but the risks increase in people who:
- Spend a lot of time in the sun or have been sunburned.
- Have light-color skin, hair, and eyes.
- Take some types of oral and topical medicines, such as antibiotics, birth control pills, and benzoyl peroxide products, as well as some cosmetics, may increase skin and eye sensitivity to UV in all skin types.
- Have a family member with skin cancer.
- Are over age 50.
Protecting Yourself From UV Radiation
- Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours.
- Wear clothes that cover your arms and legs.
- Consider options to protect your children.
- Wear a wide brim hat to shade your face, head, ears, and neck.
- Wear wraparound sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.
- Use sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or higher for both UVA and UVB protection.
- Avoid indoor tanning. Indoor tanning is particularly dangerous for younger users; people who begin indoor tanning during adolescence or early adulthood risk developing melanoma.
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