Protect Yourself In The Summer Sun
As summer starts to heat up and the temperature rises, so does the strength of the sun. And while the hot and humid season is short in Maine and reason enough to be outside at all times, it’s important to remember to protect yourself from the sun.
In an effort to educate and promote sun safety, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention dubbed the Friday before Memorial Day Don’t Fry Day. Designed to encourage people to protect their skin, the day also intends to save lives.
While skin cancer is curable if detected early, it often goes unnoticed for long periods of time and can create problems for those who spend a lot of time in the sun when they’re young, later in life. In 2009 alone, it is estimated that over 62,000 cases of malignant melanoma – the most serious form of skin cancer – and over 1 million cases of basal cell or squamous skin cancer, the most common kinds of skin cancer, will be diagnosed. Most skin cancers are caused by overexposure to UV radiation.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also promotes skin cancer prevention with their play on words: Slip! Slop! Slap! And Wrap! With this easy to remember jingle, the EPA asks that we take responsibility and protect our skin this summer by remembering to slip on a shirt, slop on some sunscreen, slap on a hat, and wrap on a pair of sunglasses.
For those that work outside during the summer, such as contractors and camp counselors, it’s equally important to take proper skin safety precautions, as long days in the sun can take a toll on the skin of even the toughest construction workers.
The Law Offices of Joe Bornstein wants you to enjoy the Maine summer, as it’s too short and too beautiful not to, but asks that you remember a few sun safety tips while doing so:
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, and take a break from the sun at times, seeking shade.
- Check sunscreen bottles for an expiration date as most sunscreens become less effective after 2 to 3 years.
- Be generous with sunscreen. One ounce – or a palm full – should be sufficient for covering the exposed skin of an average adult. Allow 20-30 minutes for the sunscreen to set in before going outside, and reapply every two hours and after swimming.
- Limit sun exposure during the middle of the day, as UV rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm. One way to do this is to take the shadow test. If your shadow is shorter than you are, then the sun is still strong.
- Be sure that children are protected, as they often spend extended time in the sun. Older children should be cautioned about the dangers of UV rays as they become more independent, and babies under 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight completely.
- Use extra caution when near water, snow, and sand as they reflect UV rays, increasing the chance of sunburn.
While the season to be outside in the warm weather is short in Maine, and the season to be tan even shorter, it’s important to remember to protect your skin. Because a tan today might look good in the short term, but skin cancer never looks good in the long run. So remember to Slip! Slop! Slap! And Wrap! this summer, and, to enjoy the Maine summer.
For more information on sun and skin care safety, please visit: www.skincancerprevention.org.
