Sunlight may feel great on your skin, but too much sun exposure can cause skin cancers and eye damage. In a world where sun protection is a fact of life, it makes sense to learn about all the ways to keep harmful ultraviolet (UV) light from reaching your skin. 1. Cover up. To find out if your clothing will protect you from the rays of the sun, place your hand between the fabric and a source of light. If you can see your hand through the fabric, the clothing won't protect your skin from sun exposure. In response to increased public concern about skin cancer, manufacturers have developed UV protective clothing. Like liquid sunscreen, sun block clothing has a sun protection factor (SPF) and keeps harmful rays from reaching your skin. Of course, babies and young children are extremely susceptible to the dangers of sunlight. Available with short or long sleeves and with short or long leggings, sunblock swimsuits protect the delicate skin of youngsters on the beach and in the water. 2. Wear a hat. A hat with a wide brim protects the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp. A baseball cap won't protect the back of the neck or the ears, where skin cancers commonly occur. A hat made of sunblock cloth gives an extra measure of protection. 3. Wear sunglasses that block UV rays. Check the label to make sure sunglasses block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. UV protection comes from an invisible chemical applied to the lenses, not from the color or darkness of the lenses; darker lenses may not provide greater protection. 4. Use a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher. Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB, both of which contribute to skin cancer. Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours (more frequently if you sweat a lot) and after swimming. 5. Limit direct sun exposure. UV rays are most intense when the sun is high in the sky, between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M. If you must be outside midday, an old-fashioned umbrella can enhance the protection offered by sunscreen lotion and protective clothing. Skin cancers detected early can almost always be cured. The most important warning sign for skin cancer is a spot on the skin that changes in size, shape or color over a period of one month to two years. The most common skin cancers often look like pale, wax-like, pearly bumps; a red scaly, sharply outlined patches; or sores that do not heal. Melanoma often starts as a small, mole-like growth. Examine your body and see a health care professional if you have concerns. Sun protection is not just for the beach; it needs to be an everyday practice. Whether you're spending the entire day enjoying the outdoors or just walking to work on a city street, the need for sun protection is a fact of life. New fabrics expand the options for protecting your skin and eyes from harmful rays.
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