Tips For Safety In The Sun!

Some people think about sun protection only when they spend a full day at the beach or pool. But sun exposure adds up day after day, and it happens whenever you are in the sun, for example when you are gardening, fishing, hiking, riding a bike, going to the zoo, attending a baseball game, or going to and from your car. The following are steps that provide a practical approach to protecting yourself from the effects of the sun.

1. Limit direct sun exposure during midday  - The intensity of the sun's rays are related to several factors, including closeness to the equator, altitude, season of the year, time of day, cloud cover, and the ozone "hole." Ultraviolet rays are most intense when the sun is high in the sky, during the midday which is usually between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. If you are unsure about the sun's intensity, take the shadow test: If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun's rays are the strongest. Plan activities out of the sun during these times. If you must be outdoors, protect your skin.

UV radiation also can pass through water, so don't assume you're safe from UV radiation if you're in the water and feeling cool. Also, be especially careful on the beach and in the snow because sand and snow reflect sunlight and increase the amount of UV radiation you receive.

If you plan to be outdoors, you may want to check the UV Index for your area. The UV Index usually can be found in the local newspaper or on TV and radio news broadcasts. It also may be available through your local phone company and is available on the Internet at the National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center's home page.

2. Cover up  - When in the sun, keep your shirt on! Wear clothing to protect as much skin as possible. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts are the most protective. Dark colors provide more protection than light colors by preventing more UV rays from reaching your skin. A tightly woven fabric provides greater protection than loosely woven clothing. If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through, too. Also, dry fabric is generally more protective than wet fabric. The ideal sun-protective fabrics are lightweight, comfortable, and protect against exposure even when wet. Currently a few companies in the US manufacture sun-protective clothing. The American Society for Testing and Measurement has recently developed standards for manufacture and labeling of sun protective products. These will soon be published but have not yet been released.

Swimsuits for children made from sun protective fabric and designed to cover the child from neck to knees are popular in Australia and are available in some areas of the US. Consumers can ask retailers to carry these products.

3. Wear a hat  - A hat with at least a 2 to 3-inch brim all around is ideal because it protects areas often exposed to the sun, such as the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp. A shade cap (which looks like a baseball cap with about 7 inches of material draping down the sides and back) also is good. These are often sold in sports and outdoor clothing and supply stores. A baseball cap provides some protection for the front and top of the head but not the back of the neck or the ears, where skin cancers commonly develop.

4. Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher  - A sunscreen is a product that you apply to the skin for some protection against the sun's ultraviolet rays, although it does not provide total protection. Sunscreens are available as lotions, creams, ointments, gels, and wax sticks.   When selecting a sunscreen product, be sure to read the label before you buy. Sunscreen products labeled "broad-spectrum" protect against UVA and UVB radiation. Some cosmetics, such as some lipsticks, also are considered sunscreen products if they contain sunscreen and their labels state they do.

Experts recommend products with an SPF (Skin Protection Factor) of at least 15. The number of the SPF represents the level of sunburn protection provided by the sunscreen. An SPF 4 blocks out 75% of the burning UV rays while an SPF 15 blocks out 93% of the burning UV rays; an SPF 30 blocks out 97% of the burning UV rays. The FDA is currently reviewing ways to measure how much protection sunscreen products provide in the UVA range.

It is important to remember that sunscreen does not provide total protection. When using an SPF 15 and applying it correctly, you will get the equivalent of 1 minute of burning UV rays each 15 minutes you spend in the sun. So, 8 hours in the sun wearing SPF 15 sunscreen is the same as spending 32 minutes unprotected. Reflective surfaces like water, snow, and sand can actually cause exposure to more UV rays. For high-glare situations, a higher SPF sunscreen or zinc oxide may be used on your nose and lips.

Products labeled "waterproof" provide protection for at least 80 minutes even when swimming or sweating. Products that are "water resistant" may provide protection for only 40 minutes. Most sunscreen products expire within two to three years, but you should check the expiration date on the container for the date it becomes ineffective.

Some sunscreen products can irritate some people's skin. Many products claim to be "hypoallergenic" or "dermatologist tested," but the only way to know for sure whether a product will irritate your skin is to apply a small amount to your skin for three days. If your skin does not turn red or become tender and itchy, the product should be okay for you.

Be sure to apply the sunscreen properly. For maximum effectiveness, apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going outside. Be generous. About one ounce of sunscreen should be used to cover the arms, legs, neck and face of the average adult. Less is needed for a child. For best results, most sunscreens need to be reapplied about every 2 hours.

If swimming or perspiring, don't forget to reapply sunscreen to maintain protection. Remember that sunscreen usually rubs off when you towel yourself dry.

Use sunscreen lip balm.

If you or your child burn easily, be extra careful to cover up, limit exposure, and apply sunscreen. Also, be sure to use sunscreen if you or your child are taking medications that can make the skin more sensitive to the sun.

Do not use sunscreens on babies younger than 6 months. Instead, use hats, clothing, and shading to protect small babies from the sun.

For children 6 months to 2 years, use a sunscreen with at least an SPF 15.

5. Wear sunglasses that block UV rays  - Research has shown that long hours in the sun without adequate eye protection increase the chances of developing eye disease. UV-absorbent sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage.

The ideal sunglasses do not have to be expensive, but they should block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation. Check the label to be sure they do. Some labels may say, "UV absorption up to 400 nm" which is the same as 100% UV absorption. Also, labels that say "special purpose" or "Meets ANSI UV Requirements" mean the glasses block at least 99% of UV rays. Those labeled "cosmetic" block about 70% of the UV rays. It there is no label, don't buy the sunglasses. (The American National Standards Institute ANSI sets standards for sunglasses' UVA/UVB protection. They require that sunglasses block a minimum of 50% of UV.)

Darker glasses are not necessarily better because the UV protection comes from an invisible chemical applied to the lenses, not from the color or darkness of the lenses. Look for an ANSI label.

Ideally, all types of eyewear, including prescription glasses, contact lenses, and intraocular lens implants used in cataract surgery, should absorb the entire UV spectrum. Large-framed wraparound sunglasses protect your eyes from all angles. Children need smaller versions of real, protective adult sunglasses – not toy sunglasses.

6. Avoid sunlamps and tanning booths  - Many people believe that the UV rays of tanning beds are harmless. This is not true. Tanning lamps emit UVA and frequently emit a lot of UVB also. Both UVA and UVB can cause serious skin damage, and both contribute to formation of skin cancers. Because of these dangers, health experts advise people to avoid sunlamps for tanning.

Source:  American Cancer Society.   Go to www.cancer.org for more info.