UV Safety Month

Did you know that July is UV Safety Month? While everyone is enjoying the summer relaxing by the pool and playing outside, we do not think about how the sun can damage our skin if we do not protect ourselves properly. This month it is important to raise awareness and learn the simple steps we can take to protect ourselves and our loved ones. By taking small precautions like putting on sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and staying in the shade during the heat of the day, we can still enjoy the summer while keeping our skin healthy and safe.

One of the most important tools we can use in protecting our skin is sunscreen. Make sure you are using sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher and apply it at the same time you are putting your moisturizer on. People tend to forget when they are having fun that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours or immediately after swimming to remain effective. Even if it is cloudy out, you should still apply sunscreen, as you can still get burnt from the sun even if you cannot see the sun. Making sunscreen a habit in your daily routine is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of sunburn and skin cancer.

While sunscreen is a tool, it is not the only way we can protect ourselves from the sun UV rays. Wearing protective layers like long-sleeve shirts, hats, UV blocking sunglasses which help provide an extra layer of defense against the sun. Planning your activities around certain times of day like early morning and late afternoon is also a great idea. This way you are not out in the heat of the day and avoiding the sun at its peak. If you must be out during the peak hours try to find shade, make sure to reapply sunscreen, and have protective layers to help you. These simple steps will help you and your family stay protected all summer.

UV safety Month reminds us that protecting our skin does not have to be complicated or time consuming. Making small changes to our daily routine like wearing sunscreen and being mindful of the time we spend in the sun means we can still enjoy the summer without putting our skin and health at risk. This July, take the month to build healthy sun habits that will last not just through the summer but the entire year.

To learn more about UV Safety Month, click here.

Written by Emily Bannerman