21 May UV Safety Month
UV Safety Month is a time to get educated about the dangers of UV rays and how you can take the steps to prevent skin cancer.
It’s the dead of summer. You look up and the sunlight somewhat blinds you, but you bask in its warmth enjoying some rays. However, you may not realize that you are getting loads of ultraviolet rays that, even though they may feel good now, could lead to serious health issues down the road if not taken seriously. July is UV safety month, and it is the perfect time to get educated about UV rays and how to be prepared with some protective tips!
First: What is UV light?
UV rays are ultraviolet light rays that can be found both naturally and artificially. Natural UV rays come from the sun, while artificial rays can be found in tanning beds, manicure lamps, and other cosmetic treatments. This is considered a type of radiation and the sun emits three types of UV wavelengths, UVA, UVB, UVC. Artificial UV rays can be the most damaging to skin and health.
The differences:
UVA Rays have less energy but may cause indirect damage to cell DNA and skin damage like wrinkles but may be involved in. some skin cancers
UVB rays more energy than UVA rays and damage skin cells directly, causing most skin cancers
UVC rays can come from manmade sources like mercury lamps or welding torches.
What Do UV Rays Cause?
UV rays can cause multiple types of skin cancer including basal cell carcinoma and squamous carcinoma. While constant unburns from. UV can be a cause of melanoma, the most dangerous of the common types of skin cancer. The more your body is exposed to UV rays the more likely you are to develop different types of skin cancer.
Ways to Reduce Your Risk
There are multiple ways to reduce your risk of skin cancer due to UV rays. It’s important to have an awareness of these tips in order to have the best health possible and keep yourself safe from risks of cancer.
Wear Sunscreen
Applying of layer of sunscreen should be common practice for preventing damage to your skin. Experts recommend wearing at least 15 SPF daily to protect against UVA and UVB radiation. However, it is preferred to use SPF as high as 50 SPF as it can offer the most possible protection. There are multiple options for the type of sunscreen you can use, including brands for sensitive skin. Applying at least an ounce of sunscreen every two hours is the optimal practice.
Wear Protective Clothing
Be sure to wear protective clothing when you will be exposed to sunlight. This could be considered a large brimmed hat and clothing that can protect against UV rays. It is also essential for eye health to wear sunglasses when exposed to sunlight for extended periods of time. Seek shade in sunny places to keep cool and reduce risk of overheating or heat stroke as well.
Avoid Skin Damaging Activities
UV rays aren’t just from the sun, they can be artificial too. It’s important to avoid sun tanning beds and other self-tanning resources. This will only increase your chances of developing skin cancer and a tan look is not worth the money, time, and suffering that cancer can produce. The risk of melanoma increases if we start these activities younger as well.
At Aegis, we can ensure that you will be encouraged to practice proper safety when it comes to UV ray protection.