So maybe I shouldn't have taken advice from Kramer, and lathered up in butter and climbed on my Seattle roof for a nice afternoon tan. Who knew? Maybe sun screen isn't so bad after all, especially when Newman is around.
Warm summer days and outdoor activities expose you to the sun's rays, also called ultraviolet or UV rays. A sunburn or tan results when UV rays damage your unprotected skin and may lead to wrinkles, skin spots, or skin cancer. The same UV rays that damage your skin can also harm your eyes.
If you are an outdoor worker, such as a mail carrier, landscaper, or farmer, you have an increased risk of skin cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a web site where you can check the UV index forecast for your city or town.
Regardless of the UV Index, the following sun safety measures are always encouraged:
- Wear sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UV radiation.
- Generously apply sunscreen and lip balm with a sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher and UVA and UVB protection at least 20-30 minutes before going outside. Apply at least one ounce of sunscreen every time and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating.
- Wear protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants made of tightly woven fabric, and a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Wear a hat that protects your ears, face, temples, and neck from the sun.
- Take a break in the shade when you can, and remember that the sun's UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Use extra caution when near water, snow, concrete and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun.
- Check your skin often for changes in the size, shape, color or feel of birthmarks, moles and spots. Such changes may be a sign of skin cancer.
- Avoid artificial sources of UV exposure, such as tanning beds.
For more information on sun safety, please visit the EPA's Sunwise program web page.
General information about cancer is also available.
July is UV safety month, designated to raise awareness about the harmful affects of the sun's rays on unprotected skin.