How to Protect Yourself from Sun Exposure

The pointers in this article are not intended to alarm you, but to arm you with what you need to protect yourself from sun exposure as we go through the summer months and anywhere temperatures often exceed 80 degrees. The National Institute of Health (NIH) provides the following guidelines to protect yourself from over-exposure to the sun:

• Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, which should be reapplied every two hours.
• Limit your exposure during the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. when ultra-violet (UV) radiation is especially intense.
• Wear protective clothing. Cover your arms and legs with tightly woven, loose-fitting clothes. This is a challenge for those of us who live in warmer climates because our preference is to wear less, but by being selective about the type of fabric, we can still remain cool but protected.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck - an often overlooked part of the body when it comes to providing sun protection.
• Sunglasses: Wear a good-quality wraparound pair of sunglasses. Otherwise, select one with wide side panels that provide 99-100 percent UVA (the UV that causes premature aging) and UVB (the UV that results in burns to the skin) protection to reduce the risk of eye damage.
• Avoid, at all costs, falling asleep in the sun.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends avoiding sunlamps, sun beds, and tanning parlors since these use UV radiation which may damage the skin.

In addition to all of the above, if you develop a mole, a freckle, or a spot that you are concerned about, do not hesitate to see your doctor. Protecting yourself from sun exposure is something only you can control.

Damaging Effects of Over-Exposure to the Sun

Summer officially begins in another few days but temperatures in many parts of the United States have been consistently over 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Summer activities usually involve spending a lot of time outdoors so it's reasonable to ask, "Should I be overly concerned about over-exposure to the sun?

Let's look at some of the potential dangers:

• Skin damage: An immediate effect of over-exposure to the sun is sunburn. Only someone who has experienced a very severe case of sunburn can truly understand the agony this can bring, which can last for days and may involve peeling and blistering.
• One of the long term effects of sunburn is premature wrinkling and sagging of the skin as well as bruising more easily.
• Developing skin cancer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that "the incidence of skin cancer in the United States has reached epidemic proportions."

• Damage to the immune system: A World Health Organization (WHO) report shows that one category of ultraviolet light - UVB "appears to reduce the effectiveness of the immune system..." It further notes that cold sores caused by the virus Herpes simplex recur more frequently as the body's ability to defend itself against some diseases is reduced.

Should you be overly concerned about sun exposure? The facts indicate that you should be. Over-exposure damages your skin as well as reduces the immune system's natural ability to effectively deal with damage from sunburn.

To ensure that you are protected, please see the products in our Sun Care Collection that are designed to provide protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays. Protecting you skin is vital.