UV Safety Month

Summer is in full swing and while everyone is spending more time outdoors enjoying the heat and sun, this is a good time to highlight July as UV Safety Awareness Month! Although we all love to get some sunshine in from being stuck indoors for so long, everyone must remember to keep their skin and eyes protected against the damaging rays that the sun can have. The longer you are exposed to the sun unprotected, the greater your risk of getting sun damage.

The radiation that the sun releases is known as UV-A and UV-B rays. Both of these types of rays can cause damage to your skin and eyes. UV-A rays are long wavelengths that penetrate to the middle (dermis) layer of our skin, while UV-B rays have short wavelengths and reach the outer (epidermis) layer of skin. The ozone layer protects everyone from UV-C rays which is the most damaging form of light, however, UV-C radiation can come from artificial sources like tanning beds and sunlamps.

• Vision problems and damage to the eyes
  ‍
  Cataracts  
  Cornea damage  
  Vision loss
  ‍
• Premature aging
• Immune system suppression
• Sunburn
• Skin cancer  

• Stay in the shade: The sun’s glare is most intense midday so staying in the shade between 10 am and 4 pm will give you further protection.
• Protective gear: Cover up with items such as a hat, sunglasses, pants, and long- sleeved shirts.
• Choose the right sunscreen: The FDA recommends that your sunscreen have a sun protection factor (SPF) minimum of 15but SPF 30 or higher is more ideal if you’re outside longer.
• Right amount of sunscreen: Apply at least an ounce (size of your palm) of sunscreen every two hours. Apply it more often if you are swimming or sweating a lot.

The Global Solar U.V. Index (UVI)describes the level of solar UV radiation that is at the Earth’s surface. The higher the index number, the greater chance for injury to your skin and eyes to occur. The radiation is not physically visible by the naked eye, but is always present during the day. Even on a cloudy day, someone can get sunburned. Some of the risks associated with too much sun exposure are:

In order to protect yourself from the sun and lower the risk of disease, there are multiple actions everyone should take to stay safe:

“It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. This year, an estimated 197,700 new cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S.in 2022.¹” Now, more than ever it is important to follow the precautions listed above to enjoy the sun and summer as safe as we can. If for some reason you have any ailments after prolonged sun exposure, please seek medical care.

Resource:

https://www.va.gov/qualityofcare/education/uv_safety_awareness_month.asp

1.      Staff, Science. “Survey Reveals Public Confusion about Risks of Tanning and Sunburns.” American Academy of Dermatology, 25 May 2022, medicalxpress.com/news/2022-05-survey-reveals-tanning-sunburns.html.