UV SAFETY MONTH
Across the country, people are enjoying the arrival of summer in full force, determined to have some good fun in the sun. They are taking time to hit the pool, relax at the beach, and picnic in the park. Spending time outdoors in the sunshine is valuable—sunlight boosts our mood and is our primary source of vitamin D, an essential nutrient that helps in calcium absorption. But it is important to remember that sun exposure in moderation is key. That’s why Americans should observe National Ultraviolet Safety Month every July.
National Ultraviolet Safety Month was established in America to shine a light on the negative effects of ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, and to learn about sun safety and enjoying time in the sun responsibly.
A BASIC EXPLANATION OF UV RAYS
UV rays are short light waves produced by the sun that are invisible to the human eye; the most significant of these rays are UVA and UVB. This is because they give off the most common form of UV radiation to humans, which can cause a great deal of damage, especially to our skin and eyes. The UV radiation from these UVA and UVB rays can cause many health issues, from sunburn to cataracts to cancer.
UVA radiation is so impactful because it makes up 95% of the UV rays that reach the Earth’s surface. UVA rays penetrate and damage the skin, beginning with sunburn. (Note: a tan is actually a sunburn; because many people enjoy the look of tanned skin, they often don’t consider a tan to be the skin injury that it truly is.) UVA rays cause most premature skin aging, with signs that include wrinkles, leathery skin, and blotchiness.
UVB radiation makes up the remaining 5% of the UV rays from the sun that impact us on Earth. UVB rays don’t penetrate as deeply as UVA rays, but they are still damaging to the top layers of the skin; they affect the skin cells there and can cause skin cancer known as melanoma and/or other types of skin cancer. UVB rays also can cause eye damage which eventually manifests in significant vision problems (e.g., cataracts).
The strength of the UV rays that pass through the atmosphere and reach humans depends on a variety of factors. These factors include such things as time of day and season of the year, as UV rays are usually at peak strength between 10 am and 4 pm, during the spring and summer seasons. Other factors include the distance from the equator because UV exposure is decreased in locations farther from the equator; altitude because more UV rays reach people at higher elevations; and the presence of reflective surfaces because UV rays tend to bounce off such surfaces (e.g., water, sand, snow, etc.) and increase the intensity of exposure. Also note that overexposure can occur on cloudy or overcast days, too, and can be just as damaging, so sun protection is critical no matter what the weather forecast is.
Understanding what UV rays are and what harm they can do is an important part of planning for outdoor activities and events. People should pay close attention to the amount of time they will be spending in the sun and when; and they should try to mitigate possible damage from sun exposure by taking appropriate precautions.
HOW TO PROTECT AGAINST OVEREXPOSURE
Everyone needs sun protection, so it is important to know how to mitigate the impact of radiation from UV rays. The main way to protect yourself against the damaging effects of the sun is to limit exposure and shield your skin as much as possible. Medical experts continuously stress the importance of protecting our skin when spending time in the sun, warning us about the dangers of overexposure to sunlight, especially during the summer months. Fortunately, there are several things we can do to help protect ourselves and steer clear of UV damage from sunlight.
The most basic way to help prevent UV damage is to avoid sunlight, especially during the peak hours when the sun’s UV rays are most intense. This means you should aim to stay in the shade as much as possible when you go outside during those times, and take breaks inside when able. Avoiding and/or limiting sun exposure is the easiest step you can take towards avoiding sun damage.
Generously applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen is another way to protect yourself. It is a vital thing to do when you go outside because sunscreens are made to block UV rays to an extent. Most experts recommend applying a water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher to safeguard your skin from the impact of damaging sun rays; further, they note the importance of reapplying sunscreen every two hours (and after swimming and/or sweating). According to the American Association of Dermatology, the “broad-spectrum” label on sunscreens is significant because it comes from standards created by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for testing sunscreen.
Wearing protective clothing can help, too. Clothing like shirts and swimwear with integrated SPF protection is a great option, as are long sleeve shirts and pants made of lightweight fabrics such as linen and thin cotton which can provide the most comfort when it’s hot outside. Also, consider your fashion accessories: wearing broad-brimmed hats to shade your face, ears, and neck and sunglasses to shield your eyes is essential when you’re in the sun.
TAKE SUN SAFETY SERIOUSLY
Sun protection is one of the most important health and safety considerations of the summer. While some exposure to sunlight is good for us, overexposure can be dangerous to our health. All people need to take sun safety seriously and protect themselves from overexposure to the sun. It is important to focus on sun safety not only during National UV Safety Month but all year long because sun safety is always in season.
Modern MD, PLLC is the family practice of Dr. Patricia Lopez-Po, MD, serving El Paso, Texas, as well as communities in New Mexico and Mexico. Dr. Lopez-Po takes a holistic approach towards health and wellness treatment at the family medical center on El Paso’s west side where her office is located. (Dr. Lopez-Po also makes home visits for many patients.) She focuses on the whole patient to address whatever health issues are of concern. Dr. Lopez-Po is adamant about providing consistent and complete primary care with specialty services as needed. She offers a variety of medical services, as well as aesthetic and cosmetic services, including skin rejuvenation treatments. Contact Dr. Lopez-Po online, or call 915-288-3008 to schedule an appointment today.
