Tips for sun protection this summer

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and in the world. One in 5 Americans will get skin cancer by age 70. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light. UV rays are an invisible kind of radiation that comes from:

• The sun
• Tanning beds
• Sunlamps

UV rays can damage skin cells. There are 3 different types of UV rays: Ultraviolet A (UVA), Ultraviolet B (UVB), and Ultraviolet C (UVC.)

Protection from UV rays is important all year, not just during the summer. UV rays are still strong on cloudy and cold days. UV rays reflect off surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow.

How to protect your skin from the sun:

• Use a sunscreen that filters UVA and UVB rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more. Reapply sunscreen if you stay out in the sun for more than 2 hours, and after swimming, sweating, or using a towel. Check your sunscreen expiration date. If there is no expiration date, it usually can last only 3 years.
• Stay in the shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter when outside.
• Wear protective clothing such as long-sleeved shirts, long pants, skirts, or dresses. You can also try to wear a T-shirt or beach cover-up. A dry T-shirt can protect you more from UV rays than a wet T-shirt. Dark-colored clothes also offer more protection than lighter-colored clothes.
• Wear a hat that has a brim that covers your face, ears, and back of your neck. Avoid straw hats with holes that let sunlight through. A darker hat may protect you more from UV rays.
• Use sunglasses to protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce your risk for cataracts (cloudy vision). Sunglasses that block UVB and UVA rays offer the most protection. Most sunglasses in the U.S. block these types of rays.

Visit the American Cancer Society to learn more about being safe in the sun.