The Friday Five – Sun Safety
Follow and join the conversation with #SunSafety, #SunSafeSelfie and #sunscreen.
Hi there, Nurse Lauren here and this week I’m taking over The Friday Five! Are you excited that summer is finally here? I sure am because I love to spend as much time as possible getting active outdoors and one thing I never forget to do before stepping out into the gorgeous rays is apply sunscreen, preferably 15 minutes before going out. Everyone needs to use sunscreen. Anyone regardless to age, gender, race can get skin cancer. 1 in 5 Americans will develop some type of skin cancer in their lifetime. Below are my top tips to protect yourself against those harmful, but still gorgeous, rays.
8 Ways to Stay Sun Safe This Summer
While I believe sunscreen should be your first line of defense when spending time outdoors, I also know that it is important to include other layers protection, especially if you will be spending a great deal of time soaking up the sun. WiseBread (@wisebread) offers eight tips to help us protect ourselves from an increased risk of skin cancer during the summer months, and beyond.
How do you plan on staying sun safe this summer? https://t.co/AtFzWLOb18
— Wise Bread (@wisebread) June 15, 2018
Two-Thirds of Sunscreen Products Offer Poor Protection or Have Worrisome Ingredients
Let me be clear. No matter what brand of sunscreen you choose to buy it is better to wear something rather than nothing. There are definitely sketchy ingredients in some sunscreens while others have higher quality, less controversial ingredients. Just as they say it’s preferable to eat organic fruits and veggies, I think it’s preferable to use sunscreen with safer ingredients. However, they also say if you can’t find or afford organic produce then it’s better to partake in conventional to reap the benefits of all of those good nutrients and this line of thinking holds true with sunscreen. Check out this article from the EWG, Environmental Working Group (@ewg), about sunscreens and then do yourself a favor and download their app which lists highly rated sunscreens and also the cleanest rated fruits and veggies. One stop shopping to a healthier you!
Three things to look for on the label when selecting a sunscreen: https://t.co/PUliEiyQmM #SpotSkinCancer pic.twitter.com/dmH2LL3K9Z
— AAD (@AADskin) May 12, 2017
CDC Sun Safety Tips
More sun safety tips but this time from the CDC. I wanted to include this list because it addresses cosmetics and what’s important. Don’t forget your lips! Apply a lipstick or lip balm with at least SPF 30.
RT @CDCChronic: Don’t forget these #SunSafety tips when you’re getting in your physical activity this summer! https://t.co/cVdmpddmfy #HealthySummer pic.twitter.com/Vpg4mhh9Tj
— calhealthreport (@calhealthreport) June 19, 2018
What’s the Deal: UPF clothing, the new wave in sun protection
Nowadays there are specific lines of clothing that help protect you from the sun. One new product that many people are turning to is UPF clothing. “UPF stands for ultraviolet protecting factor and a lot of people are misconstrued because they think it’s a chemical treatment. It can be, but most of the time it’s just the weave of the fabric that protects you from the sun,” says REI clothing sales representative Janae Scott. If you’re a hiker or just love nature and the great outdoors it might be time to hit the nearest REI and stock up on some protective apparel.
Show Us Your #SunSafeSelfie!
Hey, listen don’t let all of this talk of sunscreen and harmful sun exposure bring you down. It’s not all gloom and doom out there and as you’ve read it doesn’t take much extra effort to protect yourself sufficiently. So have as much fun as you want in the great outdoors and maybe take a #SunSafeSelfie while you’re doing it to help the CDC raise awareness about the benefits of sun protection!
Happy #SummerSolstice! Put on some sunscreen, then dust off your summer gear-hat, sunglasses, and clothing that covers. Snap and share a #SunSafeSelfie while you enjoy the season! pic.twitter.com/FoOlGMLnpP
— CDC Cancer (@CDC_Cancer) June 21, 2018
This is Nurse Lauren, contributor of NursesNOW, signing off with your Friday Five tips. Remember wear sunscreen anytime you are going outside. Apply it generously to any skin that will be exposed to the sun. Put sunscreen on 15 minutes before you go out and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating. While no sunscreen can block 100 percent of the sun’s UVB rays, dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
ICYMI – Our other Friday Fives and Blog posts from Nurse Lauren.
