Five tips to stay safe in the autumn sun
As the temperature cools off, many people are still choosing to spend an increased amount of time outside. And regardless of the what season you’re in, it’s important to know the risks of sun exposure.
The sun can cause acute issues, including sunburn, which can lead to itching or pain in the short-term setting. In the long-term, the sun can cause skin cancer, ranging from nuisance type cancers to fatal cancers like melanoma. Aesthetic issues like photoaging, wrinkles, and sunspots are also correlated with sun exposure.
Jennifer Powers, MD, FAAD, says there are a few simple tricks to avoiding both short and long-term sun damage.
1. Re-apply sunscreen every two hours
Setting an alarm is an easy way to ensure you’re protected from the sun all day long. When picking a sunscreen, aim for SPF 30 or higher and a broad spectrum option.
2. Use protective layers
Sunglasses, hats, and umbrellas can protect sensitive areas from getting too much sun exposure. Next time you go outside to rake leaves or do other types of yard work, wear a hat to help shade your face and neck.
3. Avoid peak hours of sun
These hours vary based on time of year, but generally, it’s between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This is when the sun is strongest and most dangerous.
4. Protect children
The sunburns you get before you’re 18 have a much higher impact on certain skin cancer developing trends. It’s a good idea to teach children how to be self-sufficient with sun protection from an early age.
5. Tanning beds are not safe
A common myth is that using a tanning bed with artificial UV is safer than tanning in the sun–this is not true. Just using a tanning bed once increases the relative risk for getting melanoma and the probability increases with each tanning session.