UV Safety Awareness Month
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Protect your skin this summer by being aware of UV Safety - wear sunscreen, stay in the shade, and check the UV index daily!
It's time to get informed and stay safe in the sun during UV Safety Awareness Month starting on July 1! This month-long celebration of protecting ourselves from UV radiation has been around since 2002, when it was first launched by the American Academy of Dermatology in order to educate people about the dangers of overexposure to the sun. With summer just around the corner, now is a great time to get educated about how to help protect yourself against skin cancer and other types of sun damage. So let's take this opportunity to learn more about how we can all stay safe in the sun this summer!
Protect your eyes from the sun's harmful UV rays by wearing sunglasses whenever you're outside. Look for sunglasses that have UVA and UVB protection.
Make sure to apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to all exposed skin. Reapply every two hours and after swimming or sweating.
The UV Index is a measure of the strength of the sun's UV radiation at a particular location. Check the index before heading out and if it’s high, take extra precautions.
Tanning beds are just as dangerous as the sun’s rays when it comes to skin cancer. Avoid tanning beds and opt for a self tanner instead.
Cover up with protective clothing such as wide brimmed hats, loose fitting long sleeve shirts, and pants when possible. Tightly woven fabrics are best at blocking UV rays.
Exposure to the sun's UV rays can have serious long-term effects, including premature aging of the skin and a higher risk of skin cancer. It's important to be aware of these dangers so we can take steps to protect ourselves from excessive sun exposure.
It's important to wear protective clothing and sunscreen when out and about in the sun, even on cloudy days. Make sure you read labels to check that your sunscreen offers broad spectrum protection against both UVA and UVB rays!
Try to stay in the shade as much as possible during peak UV radiation hours (i.e. 10 am - 4 pm). Wear a wide brimmed hat if you are going to be outdoors for an extended period of time and remember to reapply sunscreen often!