Play it safe in the sun Rays can damage skin, lead to cancer

Published June 26, 2009
By Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla., -- Though the sun is 93 million miles away, its ultraviolet rays take only eight minutes to reach earth. These strong rays can damage the skin and lead to skin cancer.

Each year, approximately 1 million skin cancers will be diagnosed. Studies show that reducing the exposure to UV rays can decrease the risk.

Year-round, whether at the beach, on the ski slopes or anywhere outdoors, you can protect your skin while still having fun.

Covering up is the best defense for both children and adults and here are a few ways you can try:

1. Seek shade. UV rays are strongest and most harmful during midday, so it's best to plan indoor activities then. If this is not possible, seek shade under a tree, an umbrella or pop-up tent. Use these options to prevent sunburn, not to seek relief once it's happened.

2. Cover 'em up. Clothing that covers the skin helps protect against UV rays. Although a long-sleeved shirt and long pants with a tight weave are best, they aren't always practical. A T-shirt, long shorts or a beach cover-up are all good choices for cover. Keep in mind, however, that a typical T-shirt actually has an SPF rating substantially lower than the recommended SPF 15. So if your clothes don't completely shield your skin, add some sunscreen and seek some shade whenever possible.

3. Use your head. Not all skin protection comes in a bottle. Because 80 percent of skin cancers occur on the head and neck, wearing wide-brimmed hats that shade the face, scalp, ears and neck are easy to use and give great protection from the sun's rays. Baseball caps are popular with both children and adults, but they don't protect the ears and neck. If you choose to wear a cap, be sure to protect the exposed areas with sunscreen.

4. Shades are cool. Grabbing a pair of shades is more than cool; it's also the best way to protect eyes from harmful UV rays. Sunglasses protect the tender skin around the eyes and reduce the risk of developing cataracts later in life. For maximum eye protection, look for sunglasses that block as close to 100 percent of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.

Adults should give wraparound lenses a try. They're great for keeping damaging rays from sneaking in at the sides.

5. Rub it on. Sunscreen is not just for the pool or beach. Remember to bring it with you whenever you go outside -- even on cloudy days. Use sunscreen that provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of at least 15.

To be most effective, sunscreen needs to be applied generously 30 minutes before going outdoors and should be reapplied throughout the day, especially after swimming or exercise. This applies to "waterproof" and "water resistant" products as well.

When applying the sunscreen, don't forget to apply it to the ears, noses, lips and tops of feet, which often go unprotected.

Don't like lotions? Try other varieties of sunscreen like sprays, wipes and gels. Concerned about acne? Look for sunscreens that are made especially for the face and won't clog pores.

Keep in mind, sunscreen is not meant to allow kids -- or adults, for that matter -- to spend more time in the sun than they would otherwise. Sunscreen reduces damage from UV radiation, but doesn't eliminate it.

The best protection for little ones, age 6 months and younger, is staying out of the sun. Sunscreen is not intended for babies so young.

Too much sun hurts

Did you know that just a few serious sunburns can increase a child's risk of skin cancer later in life? Kids don't have to be at the pool, beach or on vacation to get too much sun. Their skin needs protection from the sun's harmful UV rays whenever they're outdoors.

Turning pink? Unprotected skin can be damaged by the sun's UV rays in as little as 15 minutes. Yet it can take up to 12 hours for skin to show the full effect of sun exposure. So, if your child's skin looks "a little pink" today, it may be burned tomorrow morning. To prevent further burning, get your child out of the sun.

Tan? There's no other way to say it: tanned skin is damaged skin. Any change in the color of your child's skin after time outside -- whether sunburn or suntan -- indicates damage from UV rays.

Cool and cloudy? Children still need protection. UV rays, not the temperature, do the damage. Clouds do not block UV rays, they filter them -- and sometimes only slightly.

Oops! Kids often get sunburned when they are outdoors unprotected for longer than expected. Remember to plan ahead and keep sun protection handy -- in the car, bag or child's backpack.

For more information about protecting your family from skin cancer, contact:

· The National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER for information about all cancers, including skin cancer.
· CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control at 1-888-842-6355 for recorded information.

· www.cdc.gov/ ChooseYourCover