Stay Safe in the Sun

Summer is in full swing, and even if you’re not hitting the beach, chances are you’re spending more time outdoors. While enjoying the sunshine is one of this season’s great pleasures, it’s important to remember that increased sun exposure can cause serious damage to the skin, so don’t forget to apply sunscreen. For information on the new FDA guidelines on sunscreen, check out this video.

It’s no secret that exposure to UV radiation from the sun puts one at a higher risk for skin cancer, the most common form of cancer. Protection from UV rays is important all year round and on both sunny and cloudy, hazy days. The most hazardous hours for UV radiation exposure are between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. in the continental United States. While UV rays from the sun are the strongest in late spring and early summer, it’s important to remember to protect yourself from UV radiation all year long. Applying sunscreen, wearing a brimmed hat, or seeking shade under an umbrella or tree are all ways the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends you to protect yourself from UV radiation.

Sun exposure also leads to signs of aging. In fact, more than 90 percent of the changes commonly associated with aging are caused by the sun. Though many people believe that you get the majority of your lifetime sun exposure by age 18, you actually only get about 23 percent by that point in your life and about 10 percent more every decade after.

And it’s not just your skin that you should protect. The CDC recommends wearing sunglasses that protect against both UVA and UVB rays—most sold in the United States do. This will help protect your eyes from UV rays and prevent cataracts.

For more information on the new FDA guidelines for sunscreen, watch this video from Dr. Oz.