My classes have ended and grades have been submitted. It is officially summer.
Summer is a time to get outside, create new routines, and participate in healthy activities. It is also a time when many of us travel. I am writing a six-part summer health and safety series with summer on the horizon. This series started two weeks ago when I shared my summer plans and how we will move our bodies this summer. And last week I wrote about water safety.
Today I’m talking about sun safety.
Spending time outside is healthy — being outside helps us to be physically active, reduces our stress, and allows us to get (often some much-needed) vitamin D.
Our family spends a lot of time outside during the summer.
Usually, we are near/in a body of water — a pool, creek, river, lake, or ocean.
It is of the utmost importance that we protect ourselves from the sun’s rays when we are outside during the summer. Most skin cancers (which is the most common type of cancer in the United States) are caused by too much exposure to UV light from the sun.
When outside this summer, it is important to —
Seek out shade, especially during the hours of 10 am and 2 pm.
Wear sun-protective clothing. This includes sunglasses and a hat.
Please remember (from last week’s water safety post) that if you plan on swimming, you should not wear regular clothing (this includes a cotton t-shirt) in the water. If you are going to swim, you need a shirt that is nylon, spandex, or polyester.
Wear sunscreen.
Sunscreen filters ultraviolet light A & B (UVA & UVB) rays. An SPF (sun protective factor) of 15 or higher is recommended. And individuals should reapply sunscreen every couple of hours, especially if they are swimming.
And parents — you need to set an example for your kids. Wear a hat. Wear your sunglasses. Apply and reapply sunscreen. Seek out shade. Wear sun-protective clothing.
A couple of important notes about sunscreen…
First, sunscreen is regulated by the FDA as an over-the-counter drug.
Second, last summer this study published in JAMA called to question the safety of sunscreen. The researchers conducting the study found that chemicals in some sunscreens are absorbed into the bloodstream at levels high enough to warrant additional research.
I’m going to repeat that — TO WARRANT ADDITIONAL RESEARCH.
This study did NOT find that chemicals in some sunscreens are dangerous. The research team studied a small group of individuals (only 24 people). And the results showed that chemicals in sunscreen are absorbed into the body. There was NO measure of harm or danger. While it is important to acknowledge the results of this study, these are findings; NOT a warning.
The benefits of wearing sunscreen FAR outweigh the risks of wearing sunscreen.
And there are physical/mineral sunscreens that contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide as the main active ingredient. You can buy these sunscreens on Amazon.
Questions? Want to know more about sun safety? Please ask me!
And please be sure to share this post with your friends and family. We all need to be safe in the sun this summer.