NOW THAT SUMMER IS HERE, families will be out in the sun enjoying picnics, pools, hikes, festivals, sports and many other outdoor activities.
Sunscreen awareness is important to protect against harmful UV rays- the same was true when Mary Schmich wrote in the Chicago Tribune on June 1, 1997, the opening line, “Ladies and gentlemen of the class of ’97: Wear sunscreen.”
If she could offer one tip she said, sunscreen would be it, “The long-term benefits of sunscreen have been proved by scientists, whereas the rest of my advice has no basis more reliable than my own meandering experience.”
Nearly 30 years later, Schmich’s words still ring true.
Maddison Metcalf, physician assistant, hematology/oncology, with the Toledo Clinic Cancer Center said, “We, as a medical community, recommend sunscreen as one of the best ways to protect yourself from skin cancers. And to keep you looking younger longer.”
Metcalf suggests the following to protect your skin: •Apply sun protection factor (SPF) 15 or greater every two hours.
•The two-hour recommendation is not so much for everyday activity, but when out in the sun for extended stretches.
•When swimming, reapply when getting out of the water.
•Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before driving because the UV rays come through windows.
•Other tips she offered include: avoid direct sun, which peaks from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; seek shade; wear a wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves, and consider using an umbrella, which is like having portable shade.
•It’s also important to wear sunglasses and use a lip balm of at least SPF 15.
What can be harmful about too much sun exposure or UV light from tanning beds and sunlamps is the invisible radiation from the UV rays. The CDC said, “UV rays can damage skin cells.
Protection from UV rays is important all year, not just during the summer.
UV rays can reach you on cloudy and cool days, and they reflect off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow.”
UV light can be good according to Johns Hopkins Medicine because exposure to sunlight produces vitamin D, which leads to healthier bones. On the other hand, they agree with the CDC if you are not using sun protection, such as sunscreen, “unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause damage to the skin, eyes and immune system. This damage can lead to skin cancer or premature skin aging.”
Metcalf concluded people are becoming more aware of the importance of using sunscreen–and using it effectively–than they were years ago and perhaps Schmich’s advice helped. ✲
