Staying Safe in the Sun

By Megan Ng

The sun’s rays are at their highest intensity this time of year. Whether you are headed off to the beach or just taking a stroll around your neighborhood, it is important to practice sun safety.

Slather on the Sunscreen

Although soaking in the sun can boost vitamin D, too much can be harmful. Ultraviolet (UV) rays – from the sun and other sources like tanning beds – are the leading cause of skin cancer. Too much exposure can cause sunburn, eye damage, and premature wrinkles (Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics, 2022).

• Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S.
• In 2018, an estimated 1.3 million people were living with melanoma of the skin in the U.S.
• 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70.
• More than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.
• Having 5 or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
• When detected early, the 5-year survival rate for melanoma is 99 percent.

People of all skin colors are potentially at risk for sunburn and other harmful effects of UV radiation. Your risk is increased if you have (Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun: From Sunscreen to Sunglasses, 2021):

•  Pale skin
• Blond, red, or light brown hair
• Been treated for skin cancer
• A family member who has had skin cancer
• Some medications may increase sun sensitivity so it is important to speak with your health care professional.

The sun is the strongest and UV rays are most intense from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Even on cloudy days when the sun can’t be seen, up to 80 percent of UV rays can get through the clouds (Santhakumar, 2022).

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

Sunscreens are assigned a sun protection factor (SPF). SPF tells you how well they block UV rays. You should use broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher (Sun Safety, 2022). The FDA requires any sunscreen with an SPF below 15 to carry a warning that it only protects against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging (Sun Safety, 2022). No sunscreen protects you completely. All sunscreen products protect against UVB rays, the main cause of sunburn,  yet UVA rays contribute to skin cancer and premature aging. “Broad-spectrum” sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays (All About Sunscreen, 2022).

When buying “water resistant” or sports sunscreens, “water resistant” does not mean “waterproof.” No sunscreens are entirely waterproof or “sweat-proof.” A water-resistant sunscreen must specify whether it lasts for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating. It is crucial to reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours and even more often if you are swimming or sweating (Simon, 2020).

Check the expiration date before using sunscreen. Most sunscreens are good for at least 2 to 3 years. The shelf life of sunscreen goes down when exposed to heat for extended periods (All About Sunscreen, 2022).

Summary

Sun safety is critical during summer to decrease sun damage and skin cancer risk. In addition to the sunglasses, hats, and long sleeves, choose the right sunscreen to supplement the other sun protection measures.

The sun’s rays are at their highest intensity this time of year. Whether you are headed off to the beach or just taking a stroll around your neighborhood, it is important to practice sun safety.

References

1. 1. All About Sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation (2022). Retrieved 3 August 2022, from https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen/
   2. Santhakumar, S. (2022). Can you get sunburn on a cloudy day? Medical News Today. Retrieved 3 August 2022, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-you-get-sunburn-on-a-cloudy-day.
   3. Simon, S. (2020). Spend Time Outside and Stay Sun-safe. American Cancer Society. Retrieved 3 August 2022, from https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/stay-sun-safe-this-summer.html#:~:text=Cover%20up%3A%20When%20you%20are,as%20after%20swimming%20or%20sweating.
   4. Skin Cancer Facts & Statistics. The Skin Cancer Foundation. (2022). Retrieved 3 August 2022, from https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/.
   5. Sun Safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Retrieved 3 August 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm.
   6. Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun: From Sunscreen to Sunglasses. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2021). Retrieved 3 August 2022, from https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/tips-stay-safe-sun-sunscreen-sunglasses.

Megan Ng is a Graduate Student of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign

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