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Sun Block - Action Steps For Sun Protection Wearing sun block can help protect you from the excessive sun exposure that can result in painful sunburn, and that can also lead to other serious health problems, including melanoma, a life-threatening form of skin cancer.
Melanoma is one of the fastest growing forms of cancer in the U.S.
In addition to melanoma, excessive UV exposure can lead to premature aging of the skin, cataracts, non-melanoma skin cancers, and immune system suppression.
Sun Block Dangerous Sunlight ...
UV protection from radiation is actually quite simple when you take the precautions listed below:
Even waterproof sunscreen can come off when you towel off sweat or water. Children under six months of age should never have sun block applied to their skin, but should be protected by avoiding too much time outdoors.
Besides wearing sunblock, here are other precautions you can take:
What is The UV Index?!... The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the sun's rays. Developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the UV Index is issued daily in selected cities across the U.S.
The UV Index Describes the Next Day's Likely Levels of Exposure To UV Rays. The Index Predicts UV Levels On a 0-10+ Scale in the Following Way:
Exposure
Category
Index Number
Sun Protection Messages
LOW
<2
Wear sun glasses on bright days. In winter, reflection off snow can nearly double UV strength.
If you burn easily, cover up and use sun block.
MODERATE
3-5
Take precautions, such as covering up and using sunscreen, if you will be outside.
Stay in shade near midday when the sun is strongest.
HIGH
6-7
Protection against sunburn is needed.
Reduce time in the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Cover up, wear a sun hat and sun glasses, and use sun block.
VERY HIGH
8-10
Take extra precautions. Unprotected skin will be damaged and can burn quickly.
Try to avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Otherwise, seek shade, cover up, wear a sun hat and sun glasses, and use sun block.
EXTREME
11+
Take all precautions. Unprotected skin can burn in minutes. Beachgoers should know that white sand and other bright surfaces reflect UV and will increase UV exposure.
Avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Seek shade, cover up, wear a sun hat and sun glasses, and use sun block.
General Precautions to Keep Safe... Regardless of the UV Index, the following sun block protection measures are always encouraged:
What About Sun Sensitivity?!... Some medications cause serious sun sensitivity, as do some diseases, such as lupus erythematosus. The UV Index is not intended for use by seriously sun-sensitive individuals. In these cases, sun block may not be enough to offer the protection needed. Consult your doctor about additional precautions you may need to take.
Sun Block and UV Protection for Children... Although many of the sun's worst effects do not appear until later in life, recent medical research has shown that it is very important to protect children and teenagers from overexposure to UV radiation by wearing sun block. The majority of most people's sun exposure occurs before age 20, and studies increasingly suggest a link between early exposure and skin cancer as an adult.
Take special care with children, and use sun block since they spend more time outdoors than adults and can burn more quickly. The precautions described here can help ensure that the children around you avoid UV-related health problems, both now and later in life.
Started early and followed consistently, each of these steps will become an easy, accepted habit, no more bothersome than fastening seatbelts every time you drive the car.
Who Calculates the UV Index... The National Weather Service (NWS) uses a computer model to calculate the next day's UV levels for selected cities across the United States. The model takes into account a number of factors, including the amount of ozone and clouds overhead, latitude, elevation, and time of year.
To compute the UV Index forecast, the model first calculates a UV dose rate, or amount of UV radiation to which a person will be exposed at the next day's solar noon (when the sun is highest in the sky) under "clear sky" (no clouds) conditions.
Does Cloud Cover Reduce UV Rays?!... The UV dose rates obtained from the model are then adjusted for the effects of elevation and cloud cover at specific locations. Higher elevations will increase the UV dose rate because there is less atmosphere to absorb and scatter UV rays. Greater cloud cover will tend to reduce the UV dose rate because clouds screen out some - but not all - UV rays.
The resulting value is the next day's UV Index forecast. The UV forecasts for selected locations are provided daily on a 0-10+ scale, where 0 indicates a minimal likely level of exposure to UV rays and 10+ means a very high level of exposure and a need for applying sun block.
Sun Block - Action Steps For Sun Protection Wearing sun block can help protect you from the excessive sun exposure that can result in painful sunburn, and that can also lead to other serious health problems, including melanoma, a life-threatening form of skin cancer.
Melanoma is one of the fastest growing forms of cancer in the U.S.
In addition to melanoma, excessive UV exposure can lead to premature aging of the skin, cataracts, non-melanoma skin cancers, and immune system suppression.
Sun Block Dangerous Sunlight ...
- Wear Sun glasses That Offer 99-100% Ultraviolet Protection
Sun wear that provides 99-100% UVA and UVB protection will greatly reduce sun exposure that can lead to cataracts and other eye damage. Check the label when buying sunglasses.
- Wearing Sun Hats
In addition to sunscreen, a hat with a wide brim offers good sun protection to your eyes, ears, face, and the back of your neck - areas particularly prone to overexposure to the sun.
- Protect Other Areas Of Your Body With Sun Protection Clothing (Dress) During Prolonged Periods in the Sun.
- Tightly-woven, loose-fitting uv protective clothing are best, but any clothing is better than none at all.
- Always Use Sun Block When Outside on a Sunny Day.
Even waterproof sunscreen can come off when you towel off sweat or water. Children under six months of age should never have sun block applied to their skin, but should be protected by avoiding too much time outdoors.
Besides wearing sunblock, here are other precautions you can take:
- Avoid the Midday Sun As Much As Possible
The sun's UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. To the extent you can, limit exposure to the sun during these hours. - Avoid Sunlamps and Tanning Parlors
Sun beds damage the skin and unprotected eyes and are best avoided entirely. - Watch For the UV Index and wear sun protection when necessary.
What is The UV Index?!... The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent overexposure to the sun's rays. Developed by the National Weather Service (NWS) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the UV Index is issued daily in selected cities across the U.S.
The UV Index Describes the Next Day's Likely Levels of Exposure To UV Rays. The Index Predicts UV Levels On a 0-10+ Scale in the Following Way:
Exposure
Category
Index Number
Sun Protection Messages
LOW
<2
Wear sun glasses on bright days. In winter, reflection off snow can nearly double UV strength.
If you burn easily, cover up and use sun block.
MODERATE
3-5
Take precautions, such as covering up and using sunscreen, if you will be outside.
Stay in shade near midday when the sun is strongest.
HIGH
6-7
Protection against sunburn is needed.
Reduce time in the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Cover up, wear a sun hat and sun glasses, and use sun block.
VERY HIGH
8-10
Take extra precautions. Unprotected skin will be damaged and can burn quickly.
Try to avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Otherwise, seek shade, cover up, wear a sun hat and sun glasses, and use sun block.
EXTREME
11+
Take all precautions. Unprotected skin can burn in minutes. Beachgoers should know that white sand and other bright surfaces reflect UV and will increase UV exposure.
Avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Seek shade, cover up, wear a sun hat and sun glasses, and use sun block.
General Precautions to Keep Safe... Regardless of the UV Index, the following sun block protection measures are always encouraged:
- Whenever possible, seek shade.
- Minimize sun exposure at midday (10:00 am to 4:00 pm).
- Use a broad spectrum sun block with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 or higher on exposed areas.
- Reapply sun block every 2 hours, especially after swimming or perspiring.
- Wear a wide-brimmed sun hat and sun protection clothing that covers your body.
- Wear UV protection sunglasses.
- Avoid sun lamps and tanning parlors.
- Watch for the UV Index Daily.
What About Sun Sensitivity?!... Some medications cause serious sun sensitivity, as do some diseases, such as lupus erythematosus. The UV Index is not intended for use by seriously sun-sensitive individuals. In these cases, sun block may not be enough to offer the protection needed. Consult your doctor about additional precautions you may need to take.
Sun Block and UV Protection for Children... Although many of the sun's worst effects do not appear until later in life, recent medical research has shown that it is very important to protect children and teenagers from overexposure to UV radiation by wearing sun block. The majority of most people's sun exposure occurs before age 20, and studies increasingly suggest a link between early exposure and skin cancer as an adult.
Take special care with children, and use sun block since they spend more time outdoors than adults and can burn more quickly. The precautions described here can help ensure that the children around you avoid UV-related health problems, both now and later in life.
Started early and followed consistently, each of these steps will become an easy, accepted habit, no more bothersome than fastening seatbelts every time you drive the car.
Who Calculates the UV Index... The National Weather Service (NWS) uses a computer model to calculate the next day's UV levels for selected cities across the United States. The model takes into account a number of factors, including the amount of ozone and clouds overhead, latitude, elevation, and time of year.
To compute the UV Index forecast, the model first calculates a UV dose rate, or amount of UV radiation to which a person will be exposed at the next day's solar noon (when the sun is highest in the sky) under "clear sky" (no clouds) conditions.
Does Cloud Cover Reduce UV Rays?!... The UV dose rates obtained from the model are then adjusted for the effects of elevation and cloud cover at specific locations. Higher elevations will increase the UV dose rate because there is less atmosphere to absorb and scatter UV rays. Greater cloud cover will tend to reduce the UV dose rate because clouds screen out some - but not all - UV rays.
The resulting value is the next day's UV Index forecast. The UV forecasts for selected locations are provided daily on a 0-10+ scale, where 0 indicates a minimal likely level of exposure to UV rays and 10+ means a very high level of exposure and a need for applying sun block.
