SAVE YOUR SKIN THIS MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

The long Memorial Day weekend is just a few days away. As you head to the beach or relax outside at home, remember to protect your family against the sun’s rays. The Friday before Memorial Day, May 22, 2015, has been declared “Don’t Fry Day” by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention to encourage sun safety awareness.

More than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States every year. Before you step outside, protect your skin from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. Enjoy the holiday and all of your summer fun, but do so safely. The following tips can help:

• Always use a broad spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF, even when it’s cloudy. Reapply it at least every two hours and after swimming.
• Wide-brimmed hats help shade your neck and face but do not offer complete protection. Use sunscreen on these sensitive skin areas.
• Wear light-weight sun-protective clothing. Long sleeves and long pants help protect skin.
• Take advantage of shade whenever possible.
• The sun’s UV rays are most intense between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Don’t stop at skin protection when you’re on the beach or anywhere else. All of that bright summer sunlight can damage your eyes so make sure that you wear sunglasses with UV protection. Most eye professionals believe that exposure to bright sunlight can cause or accelerate the development of cataracts.

Patient First Neighborhood Medical Centers are open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 365 days a year, including Memorial Day.