Soaking up a little sunlight each day can increase your body’s supply of vitamin D and even improve your emotional well-being. But it doesn’t take long for the sun’s rays to do more harm than good.
Spending too much time outdoors can expose you to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays—the main culprit of skin cancer. Fortunately, by understanding UV radiation and its harmful effects, you can protect your skin from damage.
Understanding UV radiation
Ultraviolet radiation is emitted naturally from the sun and artificially from sources such as tanning beds. There are three different types of UV radiation: UVA, UVB and UVC. These types are classified based on their wavelength – the shorter the wavelength, the more damage it causes.
UVA has the longest wavelength and is associated with skin aging and wrinkling, while UVB has a shorter wavelength and causes redness, burns and skin cancer. UVC has the shortest wavelength and is therefore the most dangerous. But luckily for us, UVC is almost completely absorbed by the earth’s ozone layer and does not naturally reach our skin.
The dangers of UV radiation
Although humans cannot physically see the sun’s UV rays, they can cause some serious damage.
“Overexposure to UV radiation can lead to sunburn, eye damage and cataracts, premature aging, wrinkles and age spots,” said Kaleah Hendren, family nurse practitioner at Mocksville Family Care Center.
Everyone’s skin ages over time, but did you know that UV rays accelerate that process? Exposure to ultraviolet radiation damages collagen and elastin fibers, causing your skin to develop premature wrinkles and loose folds. In addition, frequent sunburns or long hours spent tanning can cause your skin to darken permanently and develop a leathery texture.
“However, the worst consequence of long-term exposure to the sun is the development of skin cancer. “Because sun damage to the skin develops over the years, the older you are, the greater your risk of developing skin cancer,” she added.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. Even more shocking, more than two people die of skin cancer in the US every hour.
UV rays actually damage the DNA in your skin cells, which can cause the cells to grow out of control and form tumors that can be cancerous. Exposure to UV rays can also weaken your immune system, making it less able to defend your body against aggressive skin cancer cells.
“While everyone’s skin and eyes can be affected by the sun, fair-skinned people are much more likely to have their skin damaged by UV rays and develop skin cancer. People with a family history of skin cancer are also at a higher risk,” Hendren said.
If you have freckles, blue or green eyes, blonde or red hair or burn easily, you should pay special attention to sun protection as people with these characteristics are at greater risk of developing skin cancer.
Protect your skin
Despite the dangers of UV rays, you can and should enjoy your summer outside.
Use sunscreen
Putting on sunscreen should be one of the first things you do every day. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher every day, even if you’re not outdoors.
“Choosing the right sunscreen for you is very important! For outdoor activities, use broad-spectrum protection that is water-resistant and has an SPF of 30 or higher. You should apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going out in the sun so that your skin can absorb it. Be sure to apply sunscreen to bare skin, without other creams. And, don’t forget to reapply every two hours as long as you’re in the sun,” Hendren said.
You should follow these rules even on cloudy days. UV rays can still harm you, even if there are clouds in the sky.
Don’t forget the sunglasses
When in the sun, be sure to wear sunglasses. You should wear sunglasses outside all year round, not just in the summer.
“Choose sunglasses that block 99-100% of UV rays. Be sure to take extra care around water, snow or sand. Much of the sun’s rays are reflected off these surfaces and intensify the sun’s harmful rays,” Hendren said.
Wear protective clothing
Wide-brimmed hats and clothing with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) can provide you with protection from the sun. A fabric that says “UPF 50” allows only 1/50th of the sun’s UV radiation to pass through. This means that the garment will block 98% of the sun’s rays.
Seek Shadows
When you are outside, do not stay in direct sunlight for too long. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10:00 and 16:00 If you can, try to seek as much shade as possible during these peak hours.
Protect your little ones
If you have a baby less than six months old, you should keep it out of direct sunlight.
“Children have very sensitive skin and cannot fully absorb the ingredients of sunscreen. So keeping them in shaded areas is better and can lower the risk of developing skin cancer later in life,” Hendren said.
For babies and children older than six months, apply sunscreen when they spend any time outside.
By practicing these sun safety tips, you can protect yourself from the harmful effects of UV radiation.
Learn more
Hendren practices at Mocksville Family Care Center, located at 101 Wilkesboro Street, and is accepting new patients. If you would like to schedule an appointment with Kaleah Hendren, please call 336-753-0800.
