Florida Health Information Archives

Sun safety tips - How to protect yourself from harmful UV rays while still having fun outdoors

Nearly 115,000 Americans were diagnosed with melanoma (the most dangerous form of skin cancer) in 2010, with ultraviolet radiation being blamed for 65%-90% of these cases. Chronic or overexposure to UV sun rays, which can penetrate the skin and change skin cells, is also a contributing factor for premature skin aging and wrinkles, cataracts (a severe eye condition), a weakened immune system and hundreds of thousands of cases of basil cell and squamous cell carcinoma cancers annually.

Overexposure to UV rays can occur not only on hot, sunny days --but on cool, hazy and cloudy days, as well. It's not the temperature that burns your skin, it's the sun's invisible ultraviolet radiation. And, while late spring and early summer brings the greatest amount of UV rays, over exposure at any time of the year can be dangerous -- especially since UV rays reflect off snow and ice as well as off of water, cement and sand.

Note: Children, fair skinned people and those with certain health conditions or on medications including antibiotics and antihistamines may be at an even greater risk.

What can we do to protect ourselves against harmful UV sun rays? Seven Factors or options to consider are:

1. Time of day: The hours just before and after midday are most hazardous for UV exposure, generally from 10am to 3pm. Avoid outdoor activities during this time, if possible.

2. Minimize direct exposure: Seek shade, whether from a tree, umbrella or shelter, when it's available.

3. Length of exposure: damage from harmful rays can occur in as little as 15 minutes of exposure but the longer you are out, the greater the exposure.

4. Clothing: Loose fitting, tightly woven, long sleeved shirt and long pants of a dark color offer optimal protection -- but, obviously these are less comfortable than typical summer ware. While tighter fitting, light colored, thin-woven summer clothing like a t-shirt or beach wrap are certainly more comfortable, they provide less protection than SPF15 sunscreen. (And when wet, the UV protection of these garments is even lessened.) So, a happy medium is "sun protection clothing" or "UV-protective clothing." It is summer ware that has been treated with UV absorbent and is available from many outdoor and sporting good.

5. Hats: Darker colored, wide brimmed hats, made of tightly woven fabric like cloth are excellent for covering the face, nose, ears and neck. Avoid straw hats which may allow UV rays to penetrate through the holes.

6. Sunglasses: Large, wraparound sunglasses provide good protection since they prevent UV rays from entering from the side. Most sunglasses sold in the US protect against both UVA and UVC types of rays, both of which can be harmful.

7. Sunscreen: By reflecting, scattering or absorbing UV rays, sunscreens are a valuable tool in protecting the skin.
Always use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF15 and UVA and UVB protection. While the higher SPF percentage indicates greater protection, the numbers can be deceiving. SPF15 provides about 93% protection when applied properly, while SPF30 provides about 97% protection.

A half hour before going outdoors, apply sunscreen or sunblock generously to all exposed skin, and then reapply at least every two hours. This even applies if you'll be in the car all day since UV rays penetrate glass.

When swimming, reapply much more frequently, even if the sunscreen says that it is waterproof or water resistant.

Do not rely on suntan "lotion." It tries to minimize sunburn while still permitting tanning rays to penetrate the skin. Tanning lotions do not provide good protection against damaging UV rays.

Just a few serious sunburns in your lifetime can increase your chances of getting skin cancer later in life so plan ahead. Minimize exposure, dress appropriately, and always have sunscreen handy -- applying it liberally and reapplying often.

Additional reading for UV ray protection is available at:
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/arc/programs/academy/cmel/student_resources/
Health/SSJ/Stall-p.pdf

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