Practice Sun Safety

The sun is out! It is important to practice sun safety as we enjoy the warm and sunny weather this summer. The effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation—the type of radiation that comes from the sun’s rays—are invisible to the eye but can have long lasting effects on our skin.

There are two types UV radiation that affect the skin. UVA rays can cause premature aging of the skin and signs of sun damage such as wrinkles, leathery skin, liver spots, actinic keratosis and solar elastosis. UVB rays have slightly more energy than UVA rays and are the main rays that cause sunburns. They are also thought to cause most skin cancers. UVB rays can also cause eye problems such as irritation or even burns to the cornea in the front of the eye. They can also lead to the formation of cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye). 

Some medications can also make you more sensitive to UV radiation, making you more likely to get sunburned. Exposure to UV rays can also weaken the immune system, so that the body has a harder time fending off infections. 

Most skin cancers are a result of exposure to the UV rays in sunlight. Both basal cell and squamous cell cancers (the most common types of skin cancer) tend to be found on sun-exposed parts of the body, and their occurrence is typically related to lifetime sun exposure. The risk of melanoma, a more serious but less common type of skin cancer, is also related to sun exposure, although perhaps not as strongly. Damage from UV rays which occurs during childhood is strongly associated with an increased risk of skin cancer later in life. People who have been repeatedly exposed to UV radiation as children and adults should be regularly evaluated for skin cancer by their PCP and/or a dermatologist.

Skin cancer can be prevented by protecting your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays. The amount of UV exposure a person gets depends on the strength of the UV rays, the length of time the skin is exposed, and whether the skin is protected with clothing or sunscreen.

It’s not possible (or healthy) to avoid sunlight completely, but there are ways to help ensure you’re not getting too much sun. If you’re going to be outside, simply staying in the shade, especially during midday hours, is one of the best ways to limit your UV exposure from sunlight. Protect your skin with clothing that covers your arms and legs. Wear a hat to protect your head, face and neck. Wear sunglasses that block UV rays to protect your eyes and the skin around them. Use sunscreen of at least SPF 30 to help protect skin that isn’t covered with clothing and reapply it often.

Source: American Cancer Society website - cancer.org