Here Comes the Sun! How to protect your skin while taking in the rays

Though spring in Chicago began with buckets of rain and cold temperatures, the sun is likely to make a lasting appearance for the season – or so we’re told.

When that sunny day arrives, play it smart while you’re out at the Flick Pool or on a stroll at Gallery Park.  Overexposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can harm your skin and cause sunburns, wrinkles, premature aging and even skin cancer.

To avoid the harmful consequences, follow these simple tips:

Apply Sunscreen - Use broad-spectrum sunscreen (which protects against both UVA rays, the kinds that age us, and UVB rays, the kinds that burn us), with an SPF of 30 or greater to block 97 percent of the sun’s rays.  Be sure to apply to all sun-exposed skin and re-apply every two hours.  Unprotected exposure to UV rays is directly correlated to the development of skin cancer, regardless of skin tone, race, age or gender.

Wear sunglasses - UV radiation from natural sunlight poses a threat to your eyes over time.  Wearing protective eyewear is critical when you are exposed to UV rays. Therefore, look for sunglasses that block 99-100 percent of UVA and UVB rays to ward off future eye problems. This information is usually listed on a sticker on the lens.

Wear protective clothing - Sun exposure is the number one cause of wrinkles for men and women. UV rays can penetrate the skin, damaging elastic fibers that keep our skin firm. The right clothing can absorb or block much of the sun’s UV rays and protect your skin from its adverse effects.   Wide-brimmed hats that protect the back of the neck, ears and face are also essential to protect skin from premature aging. 

Seek Shade - The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.  When possible, seek shade or retreat indoors to avoid overexposure and painful sunburns.  Even light sunburns can turn severe, especially in the swimming pool, due to intense sun reflection. Blisters, nausea, fever, headache and weakness are all signs that it’s time to get out of the sun and seek immediate treatment. Damage can also occur under the surface of your skin, not visible to the naked eye, contributing to the development of skin cancer.

Incorporating these tips into your daily routine – not just at the pool or on vacation – can keep you healthy and safe while you enjoy the outdoors.

Want to know more about how to protect against skin cancer?  Register to attend the FREE public discussion - Skin Cancer Update 2013 - with Dr. Ross Levy at the Glenview Park Center on Wednesday, May 8 from 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.  For more information and to register, please visit northshore.org or call 847.570.5020.