July is UV Safety Awareness and Prevention Month, so let’s all take the time to learn more about UV safety and how we can protect ourselves from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

Did you know that every year, more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States? And according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UV exposure is the primary cause of most skin cancers.

So what is UV exposure exactly? UV rays are a type of electromagnetic radiation that come from the sun. There are three types of UV rays: UVA, UVB, and UVC.

UVA rays make up about 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the earth’s surface. They are relatively less intense than UVB rays but can penetrate deep into the skin, causing premature aging and wrinkles.

UVB rays are more intense than UVA rays and are the primary cause of sunburns. They can also damage the skin’s DNA, which can lead to skin cancer.

UVC rays are the most dangerous type of UV radiation but fortunately, they are completely absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere and don’t reach us.

So now that we know what UV rays are, let’s talk about how to protect ourselves from them.

The best way to protect yourself is to avoid sun exposure altogether. But since that’s not always possible, the next best thing is to limit your time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10am and 4pm when the sun’s rays are the strongest.

If you must be in the sun, make sure to wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. And don’t forget to reapply it every two hours, or more often if you’re swimming or sweating.

Wearing protective clothing is also a good idea. Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats can all help to protect your skin from the sun’s UV rays.

If you’re concerned about UV exposure, there are a number of resources you can go to for more information. The Skin Cancer Foundation website is a great place to start.

So remember, UV safety is important for everyone. By taking some simple precautions, you can help to protect yourself and your family from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

For more information on UV safety, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation website at www.skincancer.org.

Sources:

https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/uv-protection/prevention-month