Everyday Wellness: Sun Safety

I was a child of the '70s, when sunburn was just part of summer, like skinned knees and mosquito bites. I was a teenager in the '80s, when we would "lay out" with baby oil and a radio. The DJ would occasionally remind us, “It’s time to turn, so you don’t burn.” My parents used to tell me to get out of the sun, but I didn’t listen, and now I worry about the damage I’ve done. 

According to the website for the Skin Cancer Foundation, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and one in five people will develop some form of it in their lifetimes. They also say that 90 percent of the visible signs of aging are caused by sun exposure!

Here are some tips from the American Cancer Society to protect yourself and your family from sun exposure this summer:

• Cover up with clothing. When you are out in the sun, wear dark colored, tightly woven clothing to protect as much skin as possible. Some companies now make clothing that protects against UV rays. 
• Use plenty of sunscreen. Use sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30. Also look for products labeled “broad spectrum,” which also gives some protection against UVB rays. Reapply “waterproof” sunscreen every two hours and “water resistant” every 40 minutes, or more often if you are swimming or sweating. There are quite a few places in Brecksville to purchase sunscreen, including , , and .
• Wear a hat with at least a 2- to 3-inch brim all around. This helps to protect the ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp.
• Wear sunglasses that block UV rays. Labels that say "Meets ANSI UV Requirements" or "UV absorption up to 400 nm" mean the glasses block at least 99 percent of UV rays. If there is no label, don’t assume the sunglasses provide any UV protection. Sunglasses, including prescription sunglasses, are available at Brecksville Opticians and Stagehouse Vision Center.
• Limit sun exposure during the mid-day hours and avoid tanning beds.

• Children need special attention, since they tend to spend more time outdoors, can burn more easily and may not be aware of the dangers.  Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight and protected from the sun.

Vitamin D may have many health benefits, including helping to lower the risk for some cancers. Although vitamin D is made naturally by your skin when you are exposed to the sun, the American Cancer Society doesn’t recommend intentionally exposing yourself to sunlight, but rather get vitamin D from your diet and talk to your doctor about supplements.My doctor also recommended that I get my skin looked at by a dermatologist on a regular basis to look for changes in the health of my skin. 

One thing I’ve learned about health is that it’s never too late to make better choices, and I’m doing that now. I’m also teaching my kids to take better care of their skin than I did. Let’s hope they listen.