Difference between revisions of "Prevent Tanning During Excessive Outdoor Activities"
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If you spend a lot of time in the sun, your skin will darken as a result of melanin pigmentation. Some people love going outdoors to get tan, but others try to avoid tanning as much as possible while out and about. While exposure to the sun and its ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause some tanning or sunburn, there are also more dangerous risks caused by excessive sun exposure, including skin cancer, premature aging, and eye damage. Especially during excessive outdoor activities, extra precaution should be taken to help protect you from tanning and overexposure to UV rays. | If you spend a lot of time in the sun, your skin will darken as a result of melanin pigmentation. Some people love going outdoors to get tan, but others try to avoid tanning as much as possible while out and about. While exposure to the sun and its ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause some tanning or sunburn, there are also more dangerous risks caused by excessive sun exposure, including skin cancer, premature aging, and eye damage. Especially during excessive outdoor activities, extra precaution should be taken to help protect you from tanning and overexposure to UV rays. | ||
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| − | [[Category:Sun and Sunless Tanning]] | + | [[Category: Sun and Sunless Tanning]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#* Densely woven, lightweight fabrics. If you can see light through the fabric, this also means that UV light is getting through to your skin! | #* Densely woven, lightweight fabrics. If you can see light through the fabric, this also means that UV light is getting through to your skin! | ||
#* Long sleeves and long pants will decrease skin exposure and provide the most protection. If you are wearing shorts, try to wear a longer pair that covers most of the thighs. For shirts, collared shirts can also help protect your neck from tanning. | #* Long sleeves and long pants will decrease skin exposure and provide the most protection. If you are wearing shorts, try to wear a longer pair that covers most of the thighs. For shirts, collared shirts can also help protect your neck from tanning. | ||
| − | #* Many brands specifically designed for sun protection offer their UPF rating on the label. Seek out a UPF rating of 30 and above for substantial protection from the sun.<ref>http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/prevention-guidelines/preventing-skin-cancer</ref> | + | #* Many brands specifically designed for sun protection offer their UPF rating on the label. Seek out a UPF rating of 30 and above for substantial protection from the sun.<ref name="rf1">http://www.skincancer.org/prevention/sun-protection/prevention-guidelines/preventing-skin-cancer</ref> |
#Wear a hat and sunglasses. The skin on your face and your eyes are very sensitive to sun exposure, so additional precautions must be taken to protect them during outdoor activities. While many hats and sunglasses will help curb some of the risks, to most effectively reduce exposure risks with the use of a hat and sunglasses, choose: | #Wear a hat and sunglasses. The skin on your face and your eyes are very sensitive to sun exposure, so additional precautions must be taken to protect them during outdoor activities. While many hats and sunglasses will help curb some of the risks, to most effectively reduce exposure risks with the use of a hat and sunglasses, choose: | ||
#* A wide-brimmed hat (minimum of 3”), which will keep the sun off of the face, neck (front and back), and ears, as well as any bald spots or parts in the hair. Like protective clothing, the most effective hats will also be made of tightly-woven fabric that you cannot see light through when held up to the sun. | #* A wide-brimmed hat (minimum of 3”), which will keep the sun off of the face, neck (front and back), and ears, as well as any bald spots or parts in the hair. Like protective clothing, the most effective hats will also be made of tightly-woven fabric that you cannot see light through when held up to the sun. | ||
| − | #* Sunglasses that provide 100% UV ray protection, particularly models indicating that they provide UVB and UVA protection. Do '''not''' assume that dark-tinted lenses provide more protection as light-tinted lenses; it is not the darkness of the lens that indicates its ability to protect the eye from sun damage, and many light-colored lenses provide UVB and UVA protection (if indicated on the label).<ref>http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/Tanning/ucm116445.htm</ref> | + | #* Sunglasses that provide 100% UV ray protection, particularly models indicating that they provide UVB and UVA protection. Do '''not''' assume that dark-tinted lenses provide more protection as light-tinted lenses; it is not the darkness of the lens that indicates its ability to protect the eye from sun damage, and many light-colored lenses provide UVB and UVA protection (if indicated on the label).<ref name="rf2">http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/Tanning/ucm116445.htm</ref> |
| − | #* Wraparound sunglasses are even better, as they provide UV ray protection to the entire eye area, including the delicate skin around the eye and the eyelid. By blocking 99 - 100% of UV rays, wraparound sunglasses most effectively help to prevent serious conditions like cataracts and melanomas of the eye.<ref | + | #* Wraparound sunglasses are even better, as they provide UV ray protection to the entire eye area, including the delicate skin around the eye and the eyelid. By blocking 99 - 100% of UV rays, wraparound sunglasses most effectively help to prevent serious conditions like cataracts and melanomas of the eye.<ref name="rf1" /> |
| − | #Use sunscreen. Sunscreen should be used every day to avoid sun exposure risks, but the use of sunscreen to avoid tanning during excessive outdoor activities is an absolute must, even if it is cloudy.<ref>http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/prevent-skin-cancer/exec-summary.html</ref> When using sunscreen, consider the following for optimum protection: | + | #Use sunscreen. Sunscreen should be used every day to avoid sun exposure risks, but the use of sunscreen to avoid tanning during excessive outdoor activities is an absolute must, even if it is cloudy.<ref name="rf3">http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/library/calls/prevent-skin-cancer/exec-summary.html</ref> When using sunscreen, consider the following for optimum protection: |
| − | #* Choose a sunscreen that is labeled as “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” to shield your skin from both the UVB rays that tan and burn the skin, as well as the UVA rays that penetrate the skin more deeply and cause sun-induced skin aging, called photoaging.<ref | + | #* Choose a sunscreen that is labeled as “broad spectrum” or “UVA/UVB protection” to shield your skin from both the UVB rays that tan and burn the skin, as well as the UVA rays that penetrate the skin more deeply and cause sun-induced skin aging, called photoaging.<ref name="rf1" /> |
#* Choose a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. If you have fair skin, you should consider choosing a higher minimum SPF of 30 to 50. | #* Choose a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. If you have fair skin, you should consider choosing a higher minimum SPF of 30 to 50. | ||
#* Apply 1 ounce (a golf ball-sized amount) of sunscreen 30 minutes '''before''' going outside, and then reapply every 2 hours or after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Even if the sunscreen is labeled as “water-resistant” be sure to reapply often as this does not mean waterproof! | #* Apply 1 ounce (a golf ball-sized amount) of sunscreen 30 minutes '''before''' going outside, and then reapply every 2 hours or after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Even if the sunscreen is labeled as “water-resistant” be sure to reapply often as this does not mean waterproof! | ||
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===Protecting the Skin During Cold Weather Activities === | ===Protecting the Skin During Cold Weather Activities === | ||
#Be aware that your skin is at risk even in cold weather. Many people assume that a sunburn or sun tan is only a threat when you feel the hot sun beating down on your skin, but this is not true. In fact, the white snow and ice reflect more UV rays than water, sand, and concrete, so exposed skin is at a higher risk during outdoor winter activities. Do '''not''' skip the sunscreen just because you’re not at the beach! | #Be aware that your skin is at risk even in cold weather. Many people assume that a sunburn or sun tan is only a threat when you feel the hot sun beating down on your skin, but this is not true. In fact, the white snow and ice reflect more UV rays than water, sand, and concrete, so exposed skin is at a higher risk during outdoor winter activities. Do '''not''' skip the sunscreen just because you’re not at the beach! | ||
| − | #Take extra precaution when in higher altitudes. UV ray exposure increases at higher altitudes, with altitudes of 9,000 - 10,000 feet having 35 - 45% more intense radiation exposure than at sea level.<ref>http://www.skincancer.org/healthy-lifestyle/outdoor-activities/essential-sun-safety-information-for-skiers-and-snowboarders</ref> Between the increased UV exposure and the reflection of sun off of the snow and ice, your skin is doubly exposed to UV rays during outdoor winter activities. | + | #Take extra precaution when in higher altitudes. UV ray exposure increases at higher altitudes, with altitudes of 9,000 - 10,000 feet having 35 - 45% more intense radiation exposure than at sea level.<ref name="rf4">http://www.skincancer.org/healthy-lifestyle/outdoor-activities/essential-sun-safety-information-for-skiers-and-snowboarders</ref> Between the increased UV exposure and the reflection of sun off of the snow and ice, your skin is doubly exposed to UV rays during outdoor winter activities. |
#Understand the added effects of wind on your sunscreen. While sweat is the main reason for sunscreen wearing away during summer activities, being active outdoors in the winter means you have to contend with sweat, snow, and wind. To safeguard your skin during outdoor winter activities: | #Understand the added effects of wind on your sunscreen. While sweat is the main reason for sunscreen wearing away during summer activities, being active outdoors in the winter means you have to contend with sweat, snow, and wind. To safeguard your skin during outdoor winter activities: | ||
#* Choose a sunscreen that not only has UVA/UVB protection, but that also has a lot of moisturizer in it to combat windburn. Try to find a sunscreen with ingredients like lanolin or glycerin. | #* Choose a sunscreen that not only has UVA/UVB protection, but that also has a lot of moisturizer in it to combat windburn. Try to find a sunscreen with ingredients like lanolin or glycerin. | ||
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== Tips == | == Tips == | ||
* Before heading out for the day, check the daily UV Index for your zip code here: https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety/uv-index-1 | * Before heading out for the day, check the daily UV Index for your zip code here: https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety/uv-index-1 | ||
| − | * Make sun protection a part of your daily routine, applying sunscreen and taking these precautions every day, not just on days of excessive outdoor activities. Avoiding sunburn, especially in young children, can significantly decrease the chances of skin cancer later in life, so start sun protection habits early!<ref | + | * Make sun protection a part of your daily routine, applying sunscreen and taking these precautions every day, not just on days of excessive outdoor activities. Avoiding sunburn, especially in young children, can significantly decrease the chances of skin cancer later in life, so start sun protection habits early!<ref name="rf3" /> |
* Be sure to examine your body head-to-toe every month, checking for any changes in color, texture, size, and symmetry of freckles and moles, as well as noting any irregular outlines or borders. You should also consider seeing a physician once a year for a professional skin cancer examination. | * Be sure to examine your body head-to-toe every month, checking for any changes in color, texture, size, and symmetry of freckles and moles, as well as noting any irregular outlines or borders. You should also consider seeing a physician once a year for a professional skin cancer examination. | ||
== Warnings == | == Warnings == | ||
| − | * Be sure to check the labels of medications you are taking, as certain oral and topical medicines can increase skin and eye sensitivity to UV rays. Some cosmetics can also affect your skin’s sensitivity to sun exposure, so be sure to look at all sun alert statements on product labels, especially for products containing alpha hydroxy acids.<ref | + | * Be sure to check the labels of medications you are taking, as certain oral and topical medicines can increase skin and eye sensitivity to UV rays. Some cosmetics can also affect your skin’s sensitivity to sun exposure, so be sure to look at all sun alert statements on product labels, especially for products containing alpha hydroxy acids.<ref name="rf2" /> |
== Sources and Citations == | == Sources and Citations == | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
{{WikiHow}} | {{WikiHow}} | ||
