Our Maine summer is short, and you may love toasty days soaking up the sun. But too many rays may cause trouble in the long run. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, with most skin cancers caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, so it’s important to be mindful about skin safety.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention recommends protecting your skin when the UV index, published by the Environmental Protection Agency, is 3 or higher. This index lets you know the daily intensity of UV light. In the US, the highest UV exposure will be between 10 am and 4 pm, so you may want to avoid long sun exposures during that window.
Some people are at greater risk of skin cancer, especially individuals with light skin and eyes; those who have a lot of moles; individuals with a history of skin cancer; and older folks.
If you have the kind of skin that tans easily, you may still need to be vigilant under the sun. Common misconceptions about tanning include:
- Even if you don’t get a sunburn, you may still be damaging your skin.
- A base tan doesn’t reduce your risk of skin damage.
- Changes in skin color, including tanning or burning, are a sign of injured skin.
Protect yourself! Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and sit in the shade whenever possible, and wear a wide-brimmed hat, sun-safe clothing, and UV-blocking sunglasses.
Don’t forget, when you’re enjoying a day at the lake, damaging UV rays reflect off bodies of water, too. Plan ahead this summer, and remember, you can get a sunburn on overcast days too. Protect yourself by wearing sunscreen every day. Be sure to apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outside and reapply about every two hours.
Talk to your primary care provider about your skin, any concerns you have, and ask for a thorough review of moles that change color, shape, or size.
Learn more about skin safety at CDC.gov.