Now that summer has arrived, it is time to review a few facts about sun safety.
Adapted from the American Academy of Dermatology
- Sun exposure helps our bodies produce vitamin D, which allows our bodies to absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones. We recommend that you get vitamin D through a healthy diet. Do not seek the sun.
- Kids are exposed to approximately 50-80% of their lifetime sun exposure before age 18.
- Sunlight consists of UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can cause aging and wrinkling of the skin and UVB rays cause sunburns and can contribute to skin cancer or melanoma.
- Anyone 6 month or older should use sunscreen. Sunscreen should be applied to all exposed areas and should be reapplied at least every two hours or after swimming.
- The best sunscreens are water resistant and are SPF 15 or higher in order to provide coverage against UVA and UVB light.
- SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and only reflects a products ability to screen out UVB rays. At present, there is no FDA-approved rating for UVA protection. UVB protection does not increase proportionally with a designated SPF number. For example, SPF of 30 screens 97 percent of UVB rays while and SPF of 15 screens 93 percent of UVB rays. No sunscreen can provide 100 percent UVB protection.
- Be Sun Smart by wearing a water-resistant sunscreen and protective clothing such as hats, glasses or longer sleeves. Seek the shade and avoid the sun when the rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm.
Adapted from the American Academy of Dermatology
