Protecting Yourself From the Sun

Nicole Eveleth

Posted on April 11 2018

Living in Florida, we all find sunshine therapeutic as a mood booster. However, sunshine can have dangers as well as benefits. Sun damaged skin from sunburn or chronic exposure is the major cause of skin cancer. Doctors believe that most skin cancers can be avoided by using proper prevention. Sun damaged skin also contributes to premature aging. Repeated sun damage skin will look thicker, leathery and wrinkled. It can cause age spots, fragile and sagging skin which don't sound good to anyone.

The best way to avoid the dangers of the sun is to stay of out of the sun, but for most of us that is not realistic. Thus, when we go outside below I offer a few tips to minimize the sun’s harmful effects.

1) Always wear sunscreen  Sunscreens are variable by type of ingredients and the SPF. SPF stands for sun protection factor. The SPF number tells you how the product will protect you from the burning rays of the sun-UVB. Most sunscreens will protect you from UVA rays- the second major ray of the sun too. Everyone should wear a minimum of SPF 30. If you have had skin cancer, then use a sunscreen with even higher SPF. Everyone is recommended to wear sunscreen including children greater than 6 months old. Recently, a researcher reported that if sunscreens were used regularly by children through the age of 18, there would be a 72% reduction in the cases of skin cancer later in life.

The ingredients are important because they offer different types of protection. For complete block, look for titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

2) Wear sunglasses that filter the UV light.

3) Wear protective clothing. The 100% Cotton Gauze Clothing found at Cottonways is great to wear to help shield your skin from the sun and also breathable so you don't get overheated in the summer months. Another idea is to  ear a wide brimmed hat to provide more shade and protection.

4) Avoid the “hot” sun in the middle of the day. This is about 10am-3pm. The ultraviolet rays which cause sunburn are strongest during this time.