Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Sun Protection

Protecting the skin from the sun is very important. Sun exposure can lead to cancer and pre-mature signs of aging including wrinkles, laxity, roughness, and color irregularities. There are multiple ways to protect yourself from the sun.

Limit direct exposure to the sun during the peak hours of sunlight: 10 AM - 4 PM. When outside, wear long sleeved shirts and long pants to protect your arms and legs. Wear a hat with a broad brim when outside. Wear protective sunglasses when outside. Stay in shady areas when outside. It is important to remember that you can have sun exposure in places like a car through the windows, so protect yourself there too.

Avoid artifical tanning devices such as salons. This is perhaps the worst thing you can do to your skin. Spray tans are fine. Get regular skin checks for melanoma, especially if you have a family history of skin cancer.

Wear sunscreen every day, even if it is overcast. Even on cloudy days, some sun penetrates the clouds and reaches the skin. Use sunscreen with an SPF value of at least 30. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with protection against UVA and UVB. If outside for prolonged periods, re-apply sunscreen every two hours. Surfaces such as water and snow can reflect a significant amount of sunlight, so be sure to use sunscreen when around such surfaces.

The majority of sun exposure a person receives is in the first two decades of life. Thus it is very important to protect children in these ways. Teach by example, apply sunscreen, wear protective clothing and eyewear, stay in the shade when outdoors, and avoid sun exposure during peak hours.

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