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Staying Safe in the Sun

The sun is associated with sports, lazy days at the beach, and keeping fit. But too much sun is not good. The rays of the sun, called “UV” rays, can hurt your skin. UVB rays mostly cause sunburn. UVA rays can cause early skin aging and skin cancer.

Keeping safe in the sun
The best way to stay safe in the sun is to limit your time outside. The sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 AM and 2 PM. If you have to be outside, find some shade or cover your skin with clothing. A wide-brimmed hat will help protect your face, head, ears, and neck. The
sun can harm your eyes too. Wear sunglasses that block the UV rays from the sun. Don’t think you are safe because it is cloudy or you’re in water. Clouds only block up to 20% of UV rays and water doesn’t block any. Of course, don’t forget to wear sunscreen!

Buying a sunscreen
Choosing a sunscreen can be confusing. In the summer of 2012, sunscreen products in theU.S. will have new information on their labels. This change will make it easier for you to buy and use a sunscreen. When buying a sunscreen, look for:
• A sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. The higher the number, the better the protection.
• A “broad spectrum” sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays.
• A “water-resistant” sunscreen. These stay on your skin longer if you get wet or are sweating.

No sunscreen is “waterproof.” Check the bottle for how often to apply your sunscreen. Don’t buy products that have both a sunscreen and bug repellent in one bottle. Sunscreen usually needs to be applied more often than bug repellent.

Tips for using your sunscreen
• Apply a good amount of sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun.
• Use sunscreen on skin not covered by clothes. Don’t forget your nose, ears, neck, backs of the hands, tops of the feet, and top of the head (if you don’t have much hair).
• Apply more sunscreen at least every 2 hours, even if you’re using a water-resistant sunscreen. Apply your sunscreen more often if you are swimming or sweating.

Should I use sunscreen on my baby?
Children need to keep safe from the sun whenever they’re outside. If your baby is less than six months old, it is best to keep them out of the sun or keep them in the shade. Check with your baby’s prescriber before using a sunscreen. For older children, follow the directions on the sunscreen bottle.

Be safe in the sun
Think about sun safety every day, not just when you’re at the pool or the beach. There are many simple things you can do to keep safe when in the sun.

This article is used by permission and is the

Copyright of Therapeutic Research Center

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