By Amanda Benko, Intern and UAB Community Health and Human Services Student

Fun in the Sun – How to protect yourself from UV Rays

Going outside is advised and beneficial to your health; however, spending an excessive amount of time in the sun might be hazardous. Therefore, it is essential to take precautions against overexposure to the sun during the summer and throughout the year (Rawstrone, 2023). Taking a few basic measures before heading out into the sun, no matter what time of year it is, may protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun and reduce your risk of developing skin cancer, which is on the rise in the United States.

The most common precaution people should take to protect their skin is to use sunscreen. It should be used generously on exposed skin areas, including the face, neck, ears, and hands. One should pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen and reapply frequently if they are sweating or swimming. Additionally, one should choose a sunscreen with a high SPF to ensure they are well protected (Sharma & Sharma, 2023). One should avoid directly looking at reflective surfaces, including water and shiny surfaces, as they reflect UV lights increasing exposure. Sunglasses can also help protect the eyes from the intense sun rays when the sun is at its peak.

When spending time outside and the sun is at its peak intensity, people should try to spend as much time as possible in the shade. This may be accomplished by taking refuge behind trees, umbrellas, or other shade-providing structures to avoid exposure to direct sunlight. In addition, wearing long-sleeved shirts and trousers and a hat and sunglasses to shield your face, neck, and eyes from the sun is highly recommended. Following these measures will protect you from getting too much sun, lowering your chances of becoming sunburned, aging too quickly, and developing skin cancer. So how do you protect yourself from UV rays while enjoying time in the sun?

References:

Rawstrone, A. (2023). Safe in the sun. Nursery World, 2023(5), 32-33.

Sharma, M., & Sharma, A. (2023, February). A review on nature-based sunscreen agents. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 1110, No. 1, p. 012047). IOP Publishing.