How to Safely Enjoy the Sun

Most people enjoy the sun, but study after study shows us how damaging it can be. According to some, excessive sun exposure can be your skin’s biggest enemy. Others say sun exposure, in moderation, is good and necessary for a healthy life. It is well known that an immediate result of excessive exposure to UV rays is sunburn. Another widely known effect of excessive sun exposure involves Kerasotes, dark patches and scaly gray growths. These are often precancerous and considered by the American Cancer Society to be sun-related. As with everything else, education and common sense are the best tools to help you determine how to safely enjoy the sun.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sunscreen
• Light cotton clothing
• Sunglasses
• Hat

1. Make sunscreen a habit. On older children, apply sunscreen as needed, using SPF’s according to the label, and pay attention to the active ingredients. These should included titanium dioxide 1.2% or 2% or zinc oxide at 7%. Older children and adults with all skin types and skin colors should use sunscreen with SPF’s of 15 or over, though adults with skin that burn easily should use at least an SPF of 30.

2. Apply sunscreen liberally and regularly. Adults should make the application part of their daily routine, regardless of how long they plan to be outside. There are more sunburns on cloudy days than sunny ones, because people think they don’t need protection. For best results apply 30 minutes before sun exposure. Then reapply according to directions or every 30 minutes while you are outside. When swimming or exercising choose a waterproof or water-resistant formula and reapply often or as directed. Be sure to apply a large amount to all exposed areas. For an average sized adult this should equal about an ounce.

3. Always wear protective clothing that is loosely fitted and made of unbleached, tightly woven materials. The tighter the weave, the better the protection, and as you wash clothes, the UPF improves when the fabric shrinks. Cotton clothing is a budget-friendly and widely available option. Another alternative is special sun-protective clothing, like Sun Precautions or Solar Eclipse. It is said to protect better than sunscreen, and is rated using SPF ratings or a system called the UPF (ultraviolet protection factor).

4. Wear sunglasses. Made for all ages in many styles, sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays are best and most effective. These are made in standard or custom sizes and you can get them with your prescription, too. Even infants can be fitted for sunglasses.

5. Limit your sun exposure. This is the best protection again sun damage. Between the hours of 11am to 3 pm when there are high UV radiation levels, stay indoors or in the shade.

Tips & Warnings

• Use waterproof sunscreen on children regardless of the planned activity. You never know when they’ll find water or simply play so hard they sweat.
• Find a facial sunscreen appropriate for your skin needs.
• Keep sample tubes or smaller tubes of sunscreen in your car for unplanned stops at the park or outdoor mall.
• Throw away sunscreen after three years or by the expiration date stamped on the bottle.
• Remember to reapply sunscreen throughout the day and be liberal with the application.
• Do not use body sunscreen on your face. It can clog pores and be greasy.
• Sunscreen can become ineffective as it ages.
• Sunscreen wears off and loses its protective barrier.