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Sun Protection Summer is HERE - I think I can say this for everyone…FINALLY.I know you just can't wait to get out in that sun. It makes us feel warm, and happy and energized. But
the sun's rays can also be harmful to our skin. Skin cancer is one of the most insidious cancers out there, rarely recognized early and increasing in the amount of cases diagnosed each year.
Be Safe. Keep the following in mind when spending time in the sun.
1. Limit your hours of direct exposure. Make sure you have some shade time as well as sun
time, especially early in the year, when your body is just getting used to the sun's rays. If you start with limited exposure, allowing your melanocytes to work as they are meant to, your body
will gradually take on a darker hue without burning. 2. Prepare for the time you're in the sun. If you are required to work outside, then:
a. Wear appropriate clothing (hats, long pants, long sleeve shirts). I know that sounds ridiculous when you think about working in the heat, but there are a lot of light fabric
clothes out there meant to be worn in the hot sun. On my Amazon trip a few years ago, I was most concerned about mosquito bites and found lots of light weight clothes to wear in that climate. (90+ degrees).
b. Wear a Sunscreen (with a high number SPF). Sunscreens not only protect you from the UVA and UVB rays which damage skin, they also help the skin maintain its natural
oils and moisture, keeping you cooler when in the sun.
3. Stay hydrated. If you are not a water drinker, you probably don't sweat much. If you don't
sweat, your body has no way of cooling itself. Make sure you get at least 6-8 glasses of water in a day. If you already drink a lot of water, up the intake on those days you will be out in the sun.
If you work in the sun, keep bottled water or a thermos with you at all times. The water doesn't need to be cold to keep you cool, just needs to be wet. Avoid liquids with caffeine or lots of
sugar in them, they tend to DEHYDRATE you rather than hydrate you. 4. Play safe.
a. Know that any time spent on water increases the sun's effect on your skin. b. Reapply sunscreen after swimming. c. Keep kids lathered.
d. If you MUST lay out in the sun (it makes a lot of people feel better physically and mentally), set a timer and only spend 15-20 minutes in the sun at a time. Avoid the most
intense hours, usually between 11:00am and 2:00pm in this part of the country. e. Listen to your friends, if they say "you are starting to get a little pink"; find some shade,
put on some protective clothing or go inside. Use extra moisturizer on those particular areas. f. Avoid using perfumed oils with citrus in them. They may cause unpleasant skin
reactions when exposed to the sun. They may also decrease the effectiveness of your sunscreen.
Have a great summer, have fun in the sun, but be smart and treat the sun with the respect he deserves.
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