Summer Fun in the Sun

"Ladies and gentlemen of the class of 2000: Wear sunscreen. If I could offer you only one tip for the future, sunscreen would be it...", these lyrics are the opening of a graduation speech and now more recently a song released this past spring.

However, they are not only lyrics, but valuable advice everyone should adhere to all summer long. With the end of summer almost here, and the extreme hot weather we have been having, it is very important to take care of your skin.

Our bodies all need some sun exposure; it is our primary source of vitamin D, which helps us absorb calcium. However it does not take much time in the sun for most people to get the Vitamin D their bodies need; and unprotected exposure to the sunís ultraviolet rays can cause skin damage and eye damage. Also, any sun injury enough to cause tanning will increase your risk of skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. Many physicians and dermatologists and are spending a lot of time these days doing biopsies, freezing, and cutting sun marks. Most of these skin cancers are the basal cell type, which, if caught early, are more of a huge nuisance than a life-threatener, but extreme tans and burning episodes are risks for developing melanoma, a frequently-fatal cancer.

Most children take in 50 to 80 percent of their lifetime sun exposure before the age of 18. This statistic requires parents to teach their children how to enjoy fun in the sun safely. With the right precautions, one can safely reduce their chance, or their childrenís chance of skin cancer. It is important to know facts about sun exposure, how to protect yourself and, what to do if you get a sunburn.

UV rays or ultraviolet rays are invisible rays which the sun radiates to the earth. These rays are what cause tanning, burning, and other skin damages when they reach our skin. There are three kinds of UV rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC.

UVA light is the spectrum of ultraviolet light closest to what we can see. It does not cause much injury, but does trigger the initial phase of redness. UVB light makes up only 10% of the UV light which reaches the earth, but is responsible for causing burning and damage to the skin. UVB light is the most intense in mid-day and nearer the equator. UVB light reflects from certain surfaces, such as snow and ice and water. The amount of reflection on water explains why being out in the water on a cloudy day carries such a high risk of sunburn. UVC has little or low penetration and carries causes no harm to our skin.

These UV rays, when exposed to our skin, react with a chemical called melanin. Melanin is a personís first defense against the sun. It will absorb the dangerous UV rays before they do serious skin damage. The melanin found in a personís body varies from person to person. The darker a personís skin, the more melanin they have to protect themselves. However, a sunburn will develop when the amount of UV exposure exceeds what can be protected against by the skinís melanin.

Avoid the strongest rays of the day. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. is when the sun is the strongest and the highest overhead. If you are in the sun between these hours be sure to apply a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of sunscreen. This rule applies to any outdoor activity, not just the beach. Wear protective clothing that will shield skin from the UV rays. To ensure this, place your hand inside the garment and make sure you can not see your hand through it. If your infant must be out in the sun, dress them in clothing that covers the entire body, such as hats with wide brims to shadow the face and use an umbrella or tree to cover or create shade.

The most important safety factor for the sun is to wear sun screen. There are hundreds of good sunscreens available including waterproof, sport, sweat proof, sensitive skin, and brands with fun scents. What is most important when choosing your sun screen is the SPF number. For children age 6 months and older an SPF of 15 or higher should be chosen. This will prevent both sunburn and tanning. Also, when choosing your sun screen, select one whose label states that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

In order for the sun screen to protect you or your child, it must be applied correctly. Apply your sun screen 30 minutes before going outside so a good layer of protection can form. Remember to cover your lips, hands, ears, feet, behind the neck and shoulders. Apply your sun screen generously and reapply every two hours.

Sunburns still may appear even if you follow all the rules. You may seem fine during the day but then gradually an "afterburn" will develop. This afterburn is often painful, hot, and may even make you feel sick. To help with the pain, take a cool bath, or apply wet compresses to the skin. Pain relievers such as Tylenol or Ibuprofrin and spray on over-the-counter "after-sun" pain relievers and gels may also be used for relief. To rehydrate your skin and reduce swelling, apply moisturizing cream, however do not use petroleum based products, they prevent excess heat from escaping.

By following these simple steps and always being cautious while in the sun, you are guaranteed to have an enjoyable summer and will be less at risk for skin problems and cancer later in life.

For more information on summer sun safety tips visit the American Medical Association Kids Health page found here.