Sandhills District Health Department and Clinic
Sun Safety
There are lots of ways to protect your skin all year round. Here's FIVE you can try with your family:
1. Avoid the sun during peak hours (10am-4pm). The sun's rays are strongest then, plan more indoor activities for those hours.
2. Choose clothing that covers skin. This protects against UV rays. Double up on protection by applying sunscreen with long sleeves and pants. Try to stay in the shade when possible too.
3. Hats that shade the face, scalp, ears and neck are easy to use and give great protection. Ball caps shade the face but offer no protection to the sensitive skin on the ears. Double protection: use sunscreen with a floppy hat.
4. Sunglasses protect eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for shades that wrap around and block as close to 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
5. Rub on the sunscreen!! Use sunscreen with at least SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 and UVA/UVB protection everytime you go outside.
WARNING: Even a few serious sunburns can increase your risk of getting skin cancer.
For most effective sunscreen protection, apply generiously 30 minutes before going outdoors. Don't forget to protect ears, nose, lips and the toops of feet. Reapply during the day, especially if participating in water activities. Don't rely on "waterproof" or "water resistent" to skip reapplication.
It can take less than 15 minutes to burn unprotected skin and up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effects of the sun's exposure.Tanned skin is damaged skin. Even in cloudy weather, the sun can do serious damage to the skin.
For more information, visit the CDC's website: www.cdc.gov/ChooseYourCover
1. Avoid the sun during peak hours (10am-4pm). The sun's rays are strongest then, plan more indoor activities for those hours.
2. Choose clothing that covers skin. This protects against UV rays. Double up on protection by applying sunscreen with long sleeves and pants. Try to stay in the shade when possible too.
3. Hats that shade the face, scalp, ears and neck are easy to use and give great protection. Ball caps shade the face but offer no protection to the sensitive skin on the ears. Double protection: use sunscreen with a floppy hat.
4. Sunglasses protect eyes from UV rays, which can lead to cataracts later in life. Look for shades that wrap around and block as close to 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
5. Rub on the sunscreen!! Use sunscreen with at least SPF (Sun Protection Factor) 15 and UVA/UVB protection everytime you go outside.
WARNING: Even a few serious sunburns can increase your risk of getting skin cancer.
For most effective sunscreen protection, apply generiously 30 minutes before going outdoors. Don't forget to protect ears, nose, lips and the toops of feet. Reapply during the day, especially if participating in water activities. Don't rely on "waterproof" or "water resistent" to skip reapplication.
It can take less than 15 minutes to burn unprotected skin and up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effects of the sun's exposure.Tanned skin is damaged skin. Even in cloudy weather, the sun can do serious damage to the skin.
For more information, visit the CDC's website: www.cdc.gov/ChooseYourCover
