Family Doctor 2007 - (Page 45) feeling great SUN SAFETY Be careful when you swim — the water reflects the sun’s rays. Over exposure to ultraviolet radiation can seriously threaten your health, not to mention your looks! Read on to find out how you can protect you and your family from the sun’s harmful rays. By Suzanna E. Guzman Stay safe in the sun T here’s more to sun safety than slathering on sunscreen before you hit the beach. Follow these safe-sun guidelines to protect yourself and your family from skin cancer. swimming or sweating. If you’re boating, on a beach, or involved in snow sports, you’ll get additional sun exposure from reflection of sunlight off the water, sand, or snow surfaces, so protection is even more important. Water play and sports aren’t the only times to take care in the sun. You should protect your skin anytime you’re outside for more than a few minutes, even on cloudy days. Sun damage adds up: whether you’re taking a walk after work, working in the garden or washing the car, it’s important to wear sunscreen and take other precautions. Avoid the sun Sunlight damages your skin. The sun is strongest during the middle of the day, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. During these hours, the sun can do the most damage to your skin. Sunburns and suntans are signs that your skin has been damaged. The more damage the sun does to your skin, the more likely you are to get early wrinkles and skin cancer. Apply, and re-apply, sunscreen Use a sunscreen or sunblock with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Use a lot of sunscreen and rub it in well. Put sunscreen on 30 minutes before you go outside. Apply sunscreen everywhere the sun’s rays might touch you, even on your ears and the back of your neck. Men should also put it on any bald areas on the top of their heads. It’s also important to re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours that you’re outside, and more often if you’re Wear a wide-brimmed hat, protective clothing and sunglasses If you have to be out in the sun, cover up your skin. A widebrimmed hat will help protect your face, neck and ears. A hat with a 6-inch brim all around is the best. Baseball caps don’t protect the back of your neck or the tops of your ears. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants made of tightly woven fabric will also protect your skin. If the clothes fit loosely, you’ll feel cooler. Several clothing companies now offer special familydoctor 2007 45
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