Facts about Sunburn and Skin Cancer
Use a sunscreen of 15 or higher whenever you spend time outdoors.
(1). This applies to all outdoor activities: athletics, shopping, picnicking, walking or jogging, even waiting for a bus.
(2). Choose a with ingredients that block both and rays.
(3). Apply liberally and evenly to all exposed skin. The average adult in a bathing suit should use approximately one ounce of sunscreen per application. Not using enough will effectively reduce the product’s SPF and the protection you get.
(4). be sure to cover often-missed spots: lips, ears, around eyes, neck, scalp if hair is thinning, hands, and feet.
(5). Reapply at least every 2 hours, more often if some of the product may have been removed while swimming, sweating, or towel-drying.
(6). Choose a product that suits your skin and your activity. Sunscreens are available in lotion, gel, spray, cream, and stick forms. Some are labeled as water resistant, sweat proof, or especially for sports; as fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, or especially for sensitive skin or children.
Cover up.
(1). Wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Tightly woven fabrics and dark colors, such as deep blue and black, or bright colors, such as orange and red, offer more protection. If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through too. Water makes fabrics more translucent, so do not rely on a wet T-shirt.
(2). A broad-brimmed hat goes a long way toward preventing skin cancer in often-exposed areas like the neck, ears, scalp, and face. Opt for a 3-4 inch brim that extends all around the hat. Baseball caps and visors shade the face but leave neck, lower face, and ears exposed.
(3). UV-blocking sunglasses with wraparound or large frames protect your eyelids and the sensitive skin around your eyes, common sites for skin cancer and sun-induced aging. Sunglasses also help reduce the risk of cataracts later in life.
Seek the shade.
(1). be aware, however, that sunlight bouncing off reflective surfaces can reach you even beneath an umbrella or a tree.
Stay away from and artificial tanning devices.
(2). The UV radiation emitted by indoor tanning lamps is many times more intense than natural sunlight. Dangers include burns, premature aging of the skin, and the increased risk of skin cancer.
Protect your children and teach them sun safety at an early age.
(3). because skin damage occurs with each unprotected exposure and accumulates over the course of a lifetime, sun safety for children should be a priority.
PROTECTIVE MEASURES Sun and Skin
We all know we need to protect our skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Of course, it’s impossible to avoid the sun — who wants to hide indoors when it feels so great to get outside and be active? And the sun’s not all bad, anyway: Sunlight helps our bodies create vitamin D. So follow these tips when you’re outdoors to help manage sun exposure:
(1). Wear sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, even if it’s cloudy or you don’t plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. If you sweat a lot or go swimming, reapply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours (even if the bottle says the sunscreen is waterproof).
(2). Choose a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Look for the words “broad spectrum protection” or UVA protection in addition to the SPF of 15 or greater. Select a sunscreen that says “nonacnegenic” or “noncomedogenic” on the label to help keep pores clear.
(3). The sun’s rays are strongest between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, so make sure you reapply sunscreen frequently and take breaks indoors if you can. If your shadow is longer than you are tall, then it’s a safer time to be in the sun (you should still wear sunscreen, though).
(4). Apply more sunscreen (with higher SPF) when you’re around reflective surfaces like water, snow, or ice.
(5). We all know that the sun can damage skin, but did you know it can contribute to eye problems, too? Protect your face and eyes with a hat and sunglasses that provide 100% UV protection.
(6). Cold Sores: Cold sores usually show up as tender “pimples” on the lips. They are caused by a type of herpes virus (HSV-1, which most often is not sexually transmitted) so they are contagious from person to person. Once you get this virus it stays in your body, meaning you’ll probably get cold sores every now and then throughout your life
(7). Avoid getting cold sores in the first place by not sharing stuff like lip balm, toothbrushes, or drinks with other people who might have cold sores. The virus that causes cold sores is transmitted through the nose (in mucus) and the mouth (in saliva).
(8). People who have the virus know that cold sores can flare up from things like too much sun, stress, or being sick. Just one more reason to lather on that suntan lotion, eat well, exercise, and get plenty of sleep!
If you do have a cold sore, here are some tips for keeping yourself comfortable:
(1). Take acetaminophen or ibuprofen if the cold sores are painful.
(2). Suck on ice pops or cubes to ease pain and keep cold sores cool.
(3). Stay away from acidic foods (like oranges, tomatoes, and lemonade) and salty, spicy foods, which can cause annoyance.
(4). Don’t pick at cold sores while you’re waiting for them to go away. They may bleed or become infected with bacteria.
Typically, cold sores go away on their own after a week or two. But if you get them frequently or they’re a problem, talk to your doctor or dermatologist, who may be able to prescribe medication to alleviate symptoms and shorten the amount of time cold sores last.
Posted on June 14th, 2008 by admin
Filed under: Skin Advice
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