July is UV Safety Awareness Month
Skin Cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun are the leading cause of this particular cancer. July is UV safety awareness month and during this month, it is important to make sure you take the right actions to prevent your chance of skin cancer and reduce the risk of UV damage.
Prepare for UV safety awareness month:
Too much sunlight can cause several long-term health conditions.
- Visual Impairment
- A weakened immune system
- Wrinkles and Sunburn
- Skin Cancer
Prevent Getting Sunburned
Summertime means spending more time outside enjoying the nice hot air. Make sure to check the local UV index before spending time at the pool, going to the park or even going for a walk with your Pokemon Go. Check your sunscreen to make sure the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) is between 30 and 50, no one wants burnt skin. Always apply sunscreen lotion 15 minutes before going outside. You will need to reapply your sunscreen every two hours.
Protect your eyes from the sun
Sunglasses can protect your eyes from UV rays on sunny days. If you are indoors sitting near a window, you should still wear sunglasses. Too much exposure to UV light can increase your risk of developing cataracts, macular degeneration, and growths on the eye including cancer. Only wear sunglasses that offer UV protection.
Tips from the American Academy of Ophthalmology:
- Don’t focus on color or darkness of sunglass lenses: Select sunglasses that bloc k UV rays.
- Don’t be deceived by color or cost. The ability to block UV light is not dependent on the price tag or how dark the sunglasses lenses are.
- Check for 100 % UV protection: Make sure your sunglasses block 100% of UV-A rays and UV-B rays.
- Wear a hat: In addition to your sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect your eyes.
- Don’t forget the kids: Everyone is at risk, including children.
What is the hottest time of day?
You should avoid sitting in the sun between the hours of 10:00 and 4:00 p.m. You need to wear sunscreen throughout the year, and you need to apply sunscreen more often if you are swimming or sweating. Some sunscreen lotions are waterproof, but you should still apply more sunscreen whenever you get out of the pool.