UV Safety and Protection

The 5 Most Important Steps to Protecting Yourself From The Sun

In an era of a depleting ozone and sunnier skies, it is now more imperative than ever to protect yourself from the Sun.  The Sun provides warmth for our planet and life itself however too much of a good thing can prove to be detrimental to your health.  The Ultraviolet radiation (UV) found in sunlight can cause an array of problems from wrinkles (cosmetic) to skin cancer (life-threatening).  Un-education of the problems linked with overexposure to UV rays has left Skin Cancer as the most prevalent type of cancer in North America.  A statistic from the Canadian Cancer Statistics found that 1 in 7 people will develop some sort of cancer in their lives.  Those with lighter complexions, particularly Europeans, have higher risks of skin cancer.  Skin Cancer is a horrible disease and is largely preventable making it crucial to protect yourself from the Sun.  July is designated as National UV Protection month so here are some tips to help you avoid some of these consequences.

Following these 5 important steps will keep you looking young and healthy.

1. Use Sunscreen.  Using a sunscreen with a SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 30 will protect you from the bulk of UV rays.  Using a sunscreen with a higher SPF is even better for blocking harmful UV rays however it’s even more important to follow application instructions such as waiting 30 minutes before going outside after applying sunscreen.  When buying sunscreen it’s important to look for ones that protect you from UVA and UVB rays.  Sunscreen is something that a large portion of the population doesn’t even use because of the apparent hassle involved with applying it.  However taking the time, about 5 minutes each day to apply sunscreen can reduce the risk of skin cancer drastically.  Sunscreen is a crucial tool that we must use in order to protect ourselves from the harmful UV rays of the Sun.
2. Wear Sunglasses.  Sunglasses look cool, celebrities wear them but they are also vital in protecting your sight from the harmful effects of the Sun.  The majority of people find direct sunlight discomforting when performing outdoor activities so using sunglasses is a no brainer when being out in the sun.  Sunglasses protect the eyes from glare and improve eye comfort and clarity.  They also give protection from excessive exposure to sunlight including the visible (glare) and invisible parts (UVA/UVB).  UV safety and protection is vital for protecting your eyes as overexposure to direct sunlight and UV rays can result in eye cancer, cataracts and various other eye complications.  When purchasing sunglasses make sure you buy ones that are labeled UV400 meaning they are coated and block out 90%+ of UV rays with wavelengths of up to 400nm.  Furthermore, constant squinting in the sun will also cause premature wrinkles and crow’s feet which is something you would rather not have as well.
3. Cover up.  Covering up is almost as good as not being in the sun in the first place as it blocks UV rays from even reaching your skin.  Wearing full sleeve shirts, pants instead of shorts and shoes instead of sandals may make you feel warmer however this is outweighed by the protection you receive from destructive UV rays.  A common test you can use to see if a particular piece of clothing is sun-proof is to hold it up to the sun, if a lot of light passes through said cloth UV rays will pass through as well, however if a small amount of light passes through it is adequate to use.  Why do you think individuals who live in areas such as the Sahara desert cover their bodies even at temperatures that get up as high as 130 degrees Fahrenheit (136 degrees is the highest temperature recorded there).
4. Wear a Hat.  I’m not talking about baseball caps but wide brim hats such as the ones you see survivalists and fashion experts wear.  Along with being stylish these hats provide ample protection from UV rays as they protect your head, neck, ears, and face.  These key body parts are often forgotten when applying sunscreen and are usually the parts that get the most sunburnt.
5.  Limit exposure.  Limiting exposure is still the most effective way to protect yourself from UV rays as you can reduce the damage to your skin.  UV rays are in full force between 10am-4pm; however this can all depend on the location you live in so it’s best to check the weather network’s UV rating.  However a common test you can also use is to perform a shadow test, if your shadow is shorter than you the sun is at its highest intensity which translates into a high UV rating.  Avoiding being exposed during those hours will reduce your risks.

To sum it up UV rays are extremely detrimental to your health and the various problem such as skin cancer, eye cancer, cataracts, wrinkles, etc. are largely preventable.  Following these 5 steps will ensure that you protect yourself from the harmful effects of UV rays.  So limit exposure in the first place but if you do have to go outside in the sun, use sunscreen, wear sunglasses, wear hats and wear proper clothing including specially manufactured UV resistant garments..

And one more point: no tanning beds; this is a way to overdose your body on UVA light without the warning signal of sunburn that would occur with UVB in natural sunlight.