FROM OUR SPONSOR: Don’t get burned!
How to Protect Your Body from Sun Damage
SPONSORED BY
By Andie Rowe, EdM, CWP
UnitedHealthcare Regional Health and Wellness Director
UnitedHealthcare Regional Health and Wellness Director
Spending time in the sun can actually be good for you, within limits. But between the beach, the pool, and the weekend cookouts, you may be having too much fun to worry about a sunburn, until that telltale stinging and redness set in.
Besides discomfort, sunburn can have long-term effects on your health. Sunlight can increase your risk of skin cancer, certain eye conditions, and irreversible skin damage. Follow these tips to protect your skin:
- Select a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects you from both UVA and UVB rays, with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
- Don’t forget your sunglasses. The same rays that harm your skin can also damage your eyesight.
- Avoid direct sunlight between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Don’t tan – either outdoors or in a tanning bed. Instead, ask your doctor about safe topical tanning agents.
- Protect your children from the sun. Keep babies six months and younger out of direct sunlight, and refrain from using sunscreen on children younger than six months old.
- Be aware that water and sand both reflect UV rays and increase your chances for sunburn.
