Sun & Skin Safety

Sun safety and skin safety go hand in hand. The skin is the one organ that is most exposed to the sun and receives the most damage from it over the course of a person's lifetime. For this reason, measures must be taken to protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

Sun Facts

According to Medline Plus, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays are potentially harmful to the skin regardless of season or temperature.

Conditions

Overexposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, sunburn, sun spots, and premature wrinkles. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.

Treatments

Moderate sun damage such as minor sunburn requires remedies to ease pain such as aloe vera gel, cool compresses, and the use of pain relievers. Advanced sun damage requires medical attention, as with the case of second- and third-degree sunburns and skin cancer.

Prevention

Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks UV rays. Wearing light-colored clothing and wide-brimmed hats, and limiting sun exposure between 10 a.m and 4 p.m daylight savings time, is recommended by the CDC.

Warnings

The skin is at added risk with the use of certain medications and skin care products such as anti-aging products. Read the packaging labels of all skin care products and prescription medications for any side effects on sun sensitivity.

References

• Sun Exposure
• Skin Cancer
• Sunburn Treatment: What Works?

Resources

• Skin Cancer Prevention
• Sunscreen : Answers to your Burning Questions
• The Known Health Effects of UV

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Photo Credit

Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Peter Dutton