Protection: Having Fun in the Sun

It’s that time of year again when the coats are put away and the bathsuits are put on; it’s summer time! This time of year millions of people spend their days staying outside and enjoying the rays of the sun. I myself love spending the weekends at the pool getting that desired tan I’ve always wanted, but there are some precautions we should take while catching those much needed rays.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and more than one million skin cancers are diagnosed annually”. Having lost family members to skin cancer I have seen the damaging affects of the sun’s harmful rays, but that does not keep me away from the pool. There are several ways to enjoy the outdoors without increasing your risks. The Department of Disease Control and Prevention has some tips to help prevent skin cancer while still having fun outdoors. They suggest you regularly use sun protective practices such as:

• Seek shade, especially during midday hours (10 a.m.- 4 p.m.), when UV rays are strongest and do the most damage.
• Cover up with clothing to protect exposed skin. A long-sleeved shirt and long pants with tight weave are best.
• Get a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
• Grab shades that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Rub on sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.

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