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| Diana Seufert, MSN, RN, NP |
At this time of year, sun safety is on everyone's mind. And while
you're probably in the habit of packing sunscreen for a day of building
sandcastles at the beach or lounging with a good book by the pool,
did you know that you don't need to be an avid sun worshipper to
get a damaging dose of harmful rays?
No matter what you're doing—or even what time of year it
is—if you're outside, you need to be protected. Any unprotected
exposure to the sun can raise the risk of skin cancer, including
the deadliest type, melanoma, of which an estimated 1,460 new cases
will be diagnosed this year in Massachusetts alone.
But you don't have to give up your favorite outdoor activities
or avoid the sun completely to limit your exposure. Here's what
the American
Cancer Society suggests so you can still have fun in the sun:
Cover up
Wear clothing to protect as much skin as possible. Dark colors
provide more protection, as they prevent more harmful ultraviolet
(UV) rays. Dry fabric is generally more protective than wet.
Use sunscreen
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor
(SPF) of 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied to dry skin 20
to 30 minutes before going outside. About one ounce of sunscreen
should be used to cover the entire body of the average adult, and
should be reapplied every two hours. Lip balm with an SPF of 15
or higher should also be used.
Wear a hat
A hat with at least a three-to-four-inch brim all around is ideal,
as it protects areas often exposed to the sun like the neck, ears,
eyes, forehead, nose and scalp. While a baseball cap provides protection
for the front and top of the head, it doesn't protect the back of
the neck or the ears, where skin cancers commonly develop.
Wear sunglasses
Long hours in the sun without adequate eye protection can increase
the chance of developing eye disease. Sunglasses that block 99 to
100 percent of UVA and UVB rays can help protect your eyes from
sun damage.
Limit sun exposure
UV rays are the most intense at midday, when the sun is the highest
in the sky. Plan to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
UV rays can pass through clouds and water, so don't assume you're
safe if it's overcast or if you're in the pool.
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