Tips for UV Safety in the Sun

Did you know that July is UV Safety Month? This is the perfect time to learn more about the dangers of sun damage. Getting sunburned–even once–can dramatically increase a person’s risk of developing skin cancer later in life. It’s important to note that it isn’t only UV rays from the sun that can be harmful. Sun lamps and tanning beds also emit damaging UV rays which, in addition to skin cancer, can cause eye problems, weakened immune systems, age spots, wrinkles, and rapidly aging skin.

So, what can you do to avoid a sunburn?

• Always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or more, proper clothes, hats, and sunglasses for protection of your skin. If you’re outdoors during the sun’s strongest hours between 10am and 4pm, be sure to seek shade.

• Take note that the sun’s harmful effects can be worsened by reflective surfaces, such as sand, water, snow, or windows.

• Although skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the US, it’s also the most successfully treated when discovered early. A common early indication of skin cancer is a mole that changes appearance. To help you determine whether a mole might be a warning sign, keep these ABCDEs in mind:
  Asymmetry: One side looks different than the other side.
  Border Changes: The mole contains an irregular and uneven border.
  Color Changes: The mole either changes colors, or it takes on multiple colors.
  Diameter: The mole is larger than a pencil eraser.
  Evolving: You notice any change in a mole’s size, shape, color, or texture.

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