The month of July is UV Awareness Month.
While enjoying the summer rays, it’s important to protect yourself and loved ones against the UV light that comes from the sun.
As the summer heat continues and outdoor activities begin, let’s dive into best practices for UV protection and how they can help prevent sunburns, sun damage, and more!
What are UV Rays?
The CDC defines ultraviolet or UV light rays as an invisible kind of radiation that comes from the sun, tanning beds, and sunlamps.
Ultimately, UV rays can damage the skin, so protection is important not just during the summer, but year-round.
“There are different types of UV rays, based on how much energy they have. They are all a type of electromagnetic radiation, which is energy that travels in waves at the speed of light. UV is close to the middle of the electromagnetic spectrum, just above visible light,” according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
UV radiation is divided into three main groups:
- UVA: While they have the least energy, UVA radiation makes up 95% of all UV rays that make it to the Earth’s surface. They can cause skin cells to age and indirect damage to cells’ DNA.
- UVB: UVB radiation makes up only 5% of the UV rays from the sun, but have slightly more energy than UVA rays.
- UVC: UVC radiation has more energy than the other types of UV rays and can come from man-made sources like welding torches, mercury lamps, and UV sanitizing bulbs. Normally, these rays aren’t a risk factor for skin cancer.
Sunlight is the main source of UV radiation, with UVA and UVB rays posing the greatest risk for sun damage.
“The amount of UV exposure a person gets depends on the strength of the rays, the length of time the skin is exposed, and whether the skin is protected with clothing or sunscreen,” according to the ACS.
UV Exposure Health Risks
Short-term UV overexposure can cause issues like sunburn.
“UVA rays are most likely to cause sunburns as they are the most prominent type of UV ray on earth. UVA rays will also penetrate the skin down to the middle layer (dermis). UVB rays can penetrate the top layer of skin, meaning they can also cause sunburn,” according to UPMC Hillman Cancer Center.
Long-term over exposure can have harsh consequences, which include premature aging (like wrinkles and liver spots), skin damage, and even eye disease.
“Eye problems due to UV rays causing the cornea (on the front of the eye) become inflamed or burned. They can also lead to the formation of cataracts (clouding of the lens of the eye) and pterygium (tissue growth on the surface of the eye), both of which can impair vision,” according to the ACS.
Cancer can also be a major risk factor when overexposed to UV rays.
Studies have found that basal and squamous cell skin cancers are linked to certain behaviors and history of sunburns and sun-related skin damage, according to ACS reports
These behaviors include:
- Spending time in the sun for recreation (including going to the beach).
- Spending a lot of time in the sun with unprotected or exposed skin.
- Living in an area that receives a lot of sunlight.
- Having had serious sunburns in the past (with more sunburns linked to a higher risk).
- Having signs of sun damage to the skin, such as liver spots, actinic keratoses (rough skin patches that can be precancerous), and solar elastosis (thickened, dry, wrinkled skin caused by sun exposure) on the neck.
ACS highlights studies that link certain behaviors, sun exposure, and melanoma of the skin — another form of skin cancer.
The CDC reports that anyone can develop harmful health effects from UV radiation, but there are increased risks for people that:
- Spend a lot of time in the sun or have been sunburned.
- Have light-color skin, hair, and eyes.
- Take some types of oral and topical medicines, such as antibiotics, birth control pills, and benzoyl peroxide products, as well as some cosmetics. These medications may increase skin and eye sensitivity to UV in all skin types.
- Have a family member with skin cancer.
- Are over the age of 50.
Protection Against UV Overexposure
With the many health risks that come with UV overexposure, it’s crucial that everyone takes initiative and use best practices to protect themselves.
Shade
Shielding your skin from UV rays is important when it comes to protection. Spending time in the shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter can help protect one’s skin.
“It’s important to take care of yourself, even if you are in the shade. UV rays can reflect off surfaces like concrete, water, sand and snow, and still cause significant damage to your skin,” according to the University of Texas MD Cancer Center.
Clothing and Accessories
Coverage is also important. Wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, skirts, a t-shirt, a beach cover-up, or clothes made from tightly woven fabric can provide adequate sun protection.
“A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors. Some clothing is certified under international standards as offering UV protection,” the CDC reports.
Similarly, hats can also provide protection. Wearing a wide brim hat provides shade to the face, head, ears, and neck.
Sunglasses are also useful when it comes to blocking out the sun’s harmful rays.
“Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection,” according to the CDC. “Most sunglasses sold in the United States, regardless of cost, meet this standard. Wrap-around sunglasses work best because they block UV rays from sneaking in from the side.”
Sunscreen
Broad-spectrum sunscreen is one of the most essential resources when it comes to UV exposure protection.
“Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays,” according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
Sunscreen works best when it’s reapplied correctly.
Per recommendation, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours when outdoors, on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
“Sunscreen is not recommended for babies who are 6 months old or younger. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends keeping infants out of the sun during midday and using protective clothing if they have to be in the sun,” according to the CDC.
Safety in Your Community
How is the safety and health in the area you live in?
Learn more about the conditions of your community with the Salud America! Health Equity Report Card.
Explore local data on several health-related topics including housing, transportation, and environmental justice index.
Compare the data to other counties across your state and the nation.
Share your findings with city leaders and representatives in your city to advocate for change in your area!
GET YOUR HEALTH EQUITY REPORT CARD!
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