The hottest months of summer are here. Lake Lanier is more appealing than ever, especially after all the rain we had in June of 2017. Getting out in the sun is nothing but fun — if you know how to avoid sunburns.
The American Cancer Society recently updated its information on how to limit your exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays (UV) and its link to skin cancer.
Sunlight is the primary source of UV rays, but you don’t have to live in your attic.
The American Cancer Society offers these suggestions to avoid sunburns and UV rays:
- Slip on a shirt.
- Slop on sunscreen.
- Slap on a hat.
- Wrap on sunglasses to protect the eyes and skin around them.
Seek shade
- This is particularly important between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, when UV light is strongest.
- Be especially careful on the beach because sand and water reflect sunlight, increasing the amount of UV radiation you get. UV rays can also reach below the water’s surface, so you can still get a burn even if you’re in the water and feeling cool.
- Typical car, home, and office windows block most UVB rays but some UVA rays get through.
Protect your skin with clothing
- In the sun, wear clothing to cover your skin.
- Long-sleeved shirts, long pants, or long skirts cover the most skin and are the most protective. If light gets through, so do UV rays.
Use sunscreen
- Sunscreen protects skin from UV rays, but it’s just a filter and doesn’t block all UV rays.
- Sunscreen should not be used to prolong your time in the sun. It’s not your best defense.
- The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVB rays.
- For example, when applying an SPF 30 sunscreen correctly, you get the equivalent of 1 minute of UVB rays for each 30 minutes you spend in the sun. So, 1 hour in the sun wearing SPF 30 sunscreen is the same as spending 2 minutes totally unprotected.
- People often do not apply enough sunscreen, so they get less actual protection.
Be sure to apply the sunscreen properly
- Pay close attention to your face, ears, neck, arms, and any other areas not covered by clothing. If you’re going to wear insect repellent or makeup, put the sunscreen on first.
Wear a hat
- A hat with a 2-3″ brim all around is ideal because it protects areas that are often exposed to intense sun, such as the ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp.
Wear sunglasses that block UV rays
- UV-blocking sunglasses are important for protecting the delicate skin around the eyes, as well as the eyes themselves. Darker glasses are not necessarily better because UV protection comes from an invisible chemical in or applied to the lenses, not from the color or darkness of the lenses.
Protect children from the sun
- Children need smaller versions of real, protective adult sunglasses – not toy sunglasses.
- Children need special attention. They tend to spend more time outdoors, can burn more easily, and may not be aware of the dangers.
- Develop the habit of using sunscreen on exposed skin for yourself and your children whenever you go outdoors and may be exposed to large amounts of sunlight.
- Babies younger than 6 months should be kept out of direct sunlight and protected from the sun using hats and protective clothing. Sunscreen may be used on small areas of exposed skin, only if adequate clothing and shade are not available.
Enjoy Lake Lanier’s sunny skies, warm waters and perfect beaches. And avoid sunburns too.
