Growing up my family never used sunscreen. I would be out in the sun for hours at a time with no protection on my skin whatsoever. That would explain the numerous sunburns – even sun poisoning – I had growing up. As a result I’ve had to have several “suspicious” moles removed from my skin. I also live in fear of developing skin cancer.
I joke with my family that I should be a vampire because I try and avoid sun at all cost. I rather go out early in the AM or in the evening when the sun not that much of a concern.
There are a lot of myths going around when it come to sun protection. This article, shared with permission, helps to clear up some of those myths and set the record straight when it comes to your skin and the sun.
After a long winter, nothing feels better than the hot summer sun, but it’s important to remember the sun can be dangerous. In honor of “Sun Safety Week” (June 1 to 8), the health experts at NurseWise, a national multilingual nurse triage and health education provider, answer five myths of summer sun.
“Clearing up misinformation is the first step in protecting your family,” said Kim Tuck, RN, Chief Executive Officer of NurseWise. “Sun safety should be a priority because skin damage accumulates over the course of a lifetime.”
MYTH: “It’s not safe to use sunscreen on my baby.” For babies younger than six months old, limit the amount of sunscreen; however, it needs to be used on exposed areas such as hands, face and neck. Ideal sun protections for babies are clothing, hats, etc. – many of which now come with extra UV protection within the fabric.
MYTH: “I won’t get melanoma if I only tan.” You’re still at risk if you never burn, because a tan indicates damage to your skin. But if you do get sunburnt, just one burn can double your chance of developing melanoma, according to the American Cancer Society’s Skin Cancer Advisory Group.
MYTH: “Sun can’t harm me through the window.” Glass filters out UVB rays, but UVA rays can still get through. Studies show that most adult have more freckles on their left side than their right from UV exposure on that side through their car window when driving. Bonus points if you have tinted windows – they keep out almost four times more UVA light than regular ones.
MYTH: “If it’s cool or cloudy outside, my kids don’t need sunscreen.” Sunburns are common on overcast days if kids spend time outside with no sun protection. Up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can pass through the clouds, according to the Skin Cancer Advisory Group.
MYTH: “Too much sunscreen causes Vitamin D deficiency.” Both adults and kids get plenty vitamin D through multivitamins, vitamin D-rich foods (such as milk and orange juice), and through everyday sun exposure, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. If you’re worried about Vitamin D levels, ask your Primary Care Provider (PCP) if a simple blood test to check is needed.
For more information about skin and sun safety, visit www.Cancer.org/healthy/BeSafeintheSun/.
About NurseWise
NurseWise is a wholly owned subsidiary of Centene Corporation in the business of providing multilingual telehealth (nurse triage and health education) services. They partner with health plans, hospitals, providers, colleges and universities, and other specialty organizations to ensure all callers have access to high quality, appropriate care. For more information visit www.NurseWise.com.
Do you always protect your skin when it’s exposed to sun (be honest)?
I hope you will take these tips to heart and protect your skin against deadly skin cancer with just a few simple precautions.
Kimberly
*I was not compensated for this post. I shared this for the benefit of my site readers. Any opinions expressed are my own unless otherwise noted. The opinions of the author are not necessarily my own.
Betsy Barnes says
I grew up like you, never any sunscreen, lots of sunburn and sun poisoning too! I really am not a fan of the sun. My 22 year is dealing with a bad sunburn right now, after countless warnings from me to put on sunscreen, it went in one ear and out the other. He is suffering now, however, assures me the sunscreen will be used every day!