Fun in the Sun!

Summer is here! And the beautiful weather we have enjoyed this season encourages s to go outside.

While you are enjoying the outdoors, make sure you’re not getting too much of a good thing. Avoid consequences of overexposure to the sun like sunburns, premature aging of the skin, wrinkling, and skin cancer by practicing proper sun protection. Remember, the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. are the most hazardous for UV exposure.

To help keep you safe and healthy in the sun, North Shore Senior Center offers a Fun in the Sun safety workshop on Friday, July 21 at 10:30 a.m. in our Fitness Center. Danny Meyer, NSSC Fitness Specialist, will present information on staying safe in the sun, including proper sun screen use, how to dress for enhanced sun protection, and tips for exercising during the summer heat. Stay after the workshop to join the NSSC walking club on the walk through the forest preserve at 11a.m.!

In the meantime, NSSC shares these easy tips for sun protection from the CDC

Sunscreen

• Use sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
• Sunscreen wears off. Put it on again if you stay out in the sun for more than two hours, and after you swim or do things that make you sweat.

Clothing

• Loose‐fitting long‐sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection from the sun's UV rays. Darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors.
• If wearing this type of clothing isn't practical, at least try to wear a T‐shirt or a beach cover‐up. Keep in mind that a typical T‐shirt has an SPF rating lower than 15, so use other types of protection as well.

Hats

• Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
• For the most protection, wear a hat with a brim all the way around that shades your face, ears, and the back of your neck. A tightly woven fabric, such as canvas, works best to protect your skin from UV rays.
• Avoid straw hats with holes that let sunlight through.
• A darker hat may offer more UV protection.
• If you wear a baseball cap, you should also protect your ears and the back of your neck by wearing clothing that covers those areas, using sunscreen with at least SPF 15, or by staying in the shade.

Sunglasses

• Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts. They also protect the tender skin around your eyes from sun exposure.
• Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.
• Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection. Most sunglasses sold in the United States, regardless of cost, meet this standard.

Shade

• Seek shade, especially during midday hours.
• You can reduce your risk of skin damage and skin cancer by seeking shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter before you need relief from the sun. Your best bet to protect your skin is to use sunscreen or wear protective clothing when you're outside—even when you're in the shade.

For more information, please visit http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin...

Have a safe, happy and healthy summer!