Preventing Sun Damage

The sun also rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it arose.

Ecclesiastes 1:5

Ahhh... the long, sunny days of summer.

The sun is warm or hot, (depending on where you live) and the extended length of daylight calls you outside to work in the yard, play a sport, ride a bike, swim in a refreshing pool or relax on a beach with a good book.

Sunlight has both benefits and dangers.

Sunlight helps the body make vitamin D which works with calcium to build strong bones. The warmth from the sun refreshes and makes us feel good. But, the sun also carries the dangers of skin damage such as wrinkles and dark spots and skin cancer after years of damage. So with that in mind, it is intentionally better to choose to receive the benefits of the sun without the impending damage to your skin.

Consider these tips for summer sun safety:

Skin Type: Know your skin type to judge the level of sun exposure you can handle. If you are fair skinned with red or blond hair and light eyes, you are most susceptible to skin damage and possibly skin cancer. Those with darker skin, hair and eyes are at a lower risk.

Darker skin tones have a higher level of natural protectors; however, precautions should still be taken to avoid damage. Use additional care with babies and children in the sun. Most skin cancers result from burns in childhood but don’t show up until much later. Keep babies younger than six-months old completely out of the sun. Children have delicate skin that must be protected from sun damage. According to Oregon Health Sciences University’s Department of Dermatology, skin cancer can result from one blistering sunburn in childhood.

Shade: Stay out of the sun during the peak hours of 11 AM and 4 PM. These are the hours when the sun’s rays are most direct and can cause the most skin damage. If you must be outside, choose shaded areas to work or play. Use large umbrellas, awnings, canopies, and portable tents to provide shaded areas for children to play.

Sunscreen: Sunscreen is your skin’s best friend all year long, not just in the summer. Use sunscreen with at least a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 preferably. Children, fair-skinned people, and those outdoors near water need higher SPF of 30 or more. Apply liberal amounts of sunscreen at least 30 minutes prior to sun exposure to allow the protection to soak into the skin.

Get assistance to be sure your back and neck are completely covered. Reapply sunscreen often, especially after swimming and sweating. This should be done year round to prevent sun damage, even in the spring, fall and winter.

(Side Note: It is better to invest in a natural sunscreen without all the additive chemicals, because they are being absorbed into the body through the skin. A good brand is Burt’s Bees Natural Sun Care Chemical-Free SPF 15 Sunscreen.)

Sleeves: When outside for prolonged periods of time, cover yourself with light, loose-fitting clothing and a hat. Wear light weight natural fibers such as cotton to stay cooler while blocking the sun. Avoid dark colors which absorb the sun’s heat.

Sunglasses: Protect your eyes with a good pair of sunglasses with UV (ultra violet) ray protection. Your eyes can burn as easily as your skin if left unprotected.

We need not avoid the sun like the plague, but just take reasonable precautions. God created the sun as the greatest light in the sky. Use wise judgment when enjoying the outdoors this summer.