Five Tips to Enjoy the Sun Safely

Sunny days have a positive impact on our mood, increase our level of physical activity, make many social events and gatherings possible, and benefit our health by providing our bodies with essential vitamin D. While there are many positives, exposure to the sun can lead to sunburn and dehydration. Here are a few key tips to keep you safe from the sun.

Use sunscreen and read the label. With an SPF (sun protection factor) 30 sunscreen applied thickly (one ounce of sunscreen for adults per application), you get the equivalent of one minute of UVB rays for each 30 minutes you spend in the sun. If you stay in the sun, reapply every two hours, more if you are swimming. Sunscreens labeled with SPFs as high as 100+ are now available. Higher numbers mean more protection, but many people do not understand the SPF scale.

Sunscreen / Approximate percent of UVB rays blocked
SPF 15 / 93%
SPF 30 / 97%
SPF 50 / 98%
SPF 100 / 99%

Shade is your friend. Simply staying in the shade is one of the best ways to limit your UV exposure and chance of heat related injuries.

Wear a wide brim hat. A hat with at least a two-inch brim all around is ideal because it protects areas such as the ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp that are often exposed to intense sun. A baseball cap protects the front and top of the head but not the neck or the ears, where skin cancers commonly develop.

Wear sunglasses that block UV rays. UV-blocking sunglasses are important for protecting the delicate skin around the eyes, as well as the eyes themselves. Research has shown that long hours in the sun without protecting your eyes increase your chances of developing some eye diseases.

Keep hydrated. Even if you don’t feel thirsty, drink plenty of fluids to avoid heat injuries and dehydration.

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