July 3rd is Stay Out of the Sun Day! We’ve covered the unique challenges older adults face with sun exposure and dehydration on the blog. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Most cases of skin cancer are seen in people over age 65. Today we’re going to look at ways we can still enjoy summer while being mindful of the sun.
Plan Your Day
- Check the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)’s daily UV Index Forecast (0-5 means a low risk, while a score of 6 or above means that there’s a chance that significant damage to skin and eyes can happen in a short amount of time).
- Plan to stay out of the sun between 10am-4pm when the sun’s rays are strongest.
- If planning to go outside, is there shade?
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you plan to go outside.
Protect Your Skin
- Choose a good sunscreen- and wear it religiously.
- Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
- Look for a sunscreen marked “broad spectrum” (this protects against both UVA and UVB rays).
- While convenient, spray sunscreens make it easy to miss spots when applying and can cause issues if accidentally inhaled.
- Make sure to wear sunscreen every day, even if it’s cloudy.
- Make sure you’re reapplying sunscreen every two hours and/or after being in the water or sweating a lot.
- Make sure to use a lip balm with SPF to protect your lips (they CAN get sunburned!)
- Wear protective clothing.
- Wide-brimmed hats can protect your face and neck.
- Loose-fitting clothes that cover your body without overheating you.
- Darker clothes generally offer more protection from UV rays than light colored clothing.
- Some clothes have SPF in the fabric and are an excellent choice for summer.
Protect Your Eyes
- Wear wraparound sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat can also help protect your eyes.
- Do you wear contacts? Contact lenses that block UV rays could be an excellent tool for you.
- Make sure to wear protective glasses if you’re doing yardwork or home improvement projects this summer.
Other Important Tips
- Some medications can make you more sensitive to the sun. Make sure you know how your medications affect you in warmer weather. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Stay safe this summer!
