Sun Safety: The Best Defense is a Good Offense!
- Timing– plan around peak sun – go outdoors in the early morning or late afternoon.UV radiation peaks at midday
- Cover up your skin– wear shirts, hats, pants. Some fabrics have SPF ratings that protect further from the harmful UV rays
- Avoid Sunburn- red, sore or blistering skin not only is painful, but can double your chance for skin cancer
- Find Shade – bring an umbrella, picnic under a tree, be sure to especially keep infants in the shade
- Sunglasses – not just a fashion statement, good shades protect your eyes from harmful UV radiation which can cause cataracts
- Sunscreen – make sunscreen part of your outdoor gear. Choose a sunscreen with broad spectrum coverage that doesn’t contain Endocrine Disrupting chemicals, and doesn’t break down in the sun
Skin Cancer is on the Rise:
Since 2003, the rates of new melanomas for men are rising yearly 1.7% and for women 1.4%, according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC 2016). According to the National Cancer Institute , the rate of melanoma cases for American adults has tripled since the 1970s to 23% per 100,00 people in 2015. ((NCI 2018).
Risk factors for melanomas (the deadliest skin cancer) include family history, indoor tanning, number of moles on a persons skin, fair skin, freckles, UV radiation and the number of severe sunburns (CDC 2014). Scientists have shown that sunscreen can be effective at reducing risk for other skin cancers (basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas) , but don’t know conclusively whether sunscreen helps to prevent melanomas.
Choosing a Safe Sunscreen
Ingredients to Avoid: Oxybenzone, Vitamin A, added insect repellent
Products to Avoid: Sprays, Powders, and SPF above 50
Instead, Look for these ingredients: zinc oxide, avobenzome, mexoryl SX
Instead, look for these products: creams, broad spectrum protection, water resistant ans SPF 15-50
Helpful Links:
Helpful tips include- 8 little known facts about sunscreen, how to choose a safer sunscreen, references.
