Excessive exposure to Ultraviolet (UV) rays is one of the most common causes of skin cancers. Most people these exposures to sunlight. However, some results from artificial sources are also referred to as artificial sources. They include sun lamps and indoor tanning beds. More significant risks for skin cancer are common for people who are more exposed to UV radiation than those who only get limited exposure. In an attempt to reduce much of the exposure, most people often implement the use of shade tarps on their roofs to insulate a more significant percentage of UV rays.
It is essential to understand the main types of UV rays that have the potential to course skin cancer before diving into the methods of escaping exposure to the rays. The rays include UVB and UVB rays. Even though UVB has more energy and is more potent at causing skin cancer, both UVA and UVB can damage the skin and result in skin cancer. In other words, no UV rays are safe. Many materials, such as mesh tarps, have been developed to help regulate the strength of UV exposure alongside other methods.
Read through to discover more about escaping UV exposure and cancer risks.
Minimize Your Exposure to the Sun
Protecting yourself from sunlight is one of the best methods to escape UV exposure and cancer risk. Not only should you protect yourself from sun exposure while spending your day at the beach, lake, or pool, but you should also make it a daily routine since exposure to the sun occurs every day and any time you are in the sun.
However, it does not necessarily mean that you should avoid sunlight completely despite it being the main source of UV rays. Most importantly, you should maintain busking in the sun in the morning up to 9 am and later in the evening, around 5 pm. This is because these are the most recommended periods of the day when you can get vitamin D. The vitamin is usually essential for developing and strengthening bones.
Moreover, if you realize that staying inside would not keep you active, doing it would be unwise. This is because you need good health, and one of the best ways to get it is by participating in physical activity. However, limit yourself from getting too much sun, as this could lead to harmful impacts instead.
You can limit yourself from exposure to UV rays by following a series of simple steps. The most commonly used method is staying under a shade. While under a shadow, apply the following simple steps: “Slip! Slop! Slap!” And Wrap!” This catchphrase is appropriate to help you recall some of the essential steps you can follow while protecting your skin from UV rays.
- Slip stands for; slipping on a shirt
- Slop stands for; slopping on the sunscreen
- Slap stands for; slapping on a head hat
- Wrap stands for; Wrapping on sunglasses for eye and skin protection
Seek out Shade
Seeking for shade sounds like an obvious practice, but it is one of the best ways to escape direct exposure to UV rays from the sun. Shades allow you to stay outdoors while not exposing yourself to sunlight. Shades are more important between 10 am and 4 pm, a period characterized by solid sunlight; hence strongest UV light.
You can use the shadow test to test the strength of the sun’s rays, especially if you are still determining how intense the sun is. While doing this test, you will focus on the size and height of your shadow. For instance, the most potent sun’s rays are characterized by your shadow appears to have the shortest length. This happens mostly during midday when the sun is directly overhead; thus, its rays strike you now. At this point, you need maximum protection from the sun, as excessive exposure can damage your skin and even lead to skin cancer.
The strength of UV rays often varies all year long, depending on the prevailing weather conditions. However, the rays always reach the earth’s surface, as they can penetrate through hazy days and clouds. You should be extremely careful in places such as beaches and areas with snow since the snow, water, and sand often reflect much sunlight. Some of these rays, when reflected, may reach your skin at a much higher strength than the incident rays coming directly from the sun.
Protecting Your Skin Using Clothing
Wear clothing when you are out in the sun, as this ensures maximum protection of your entire skin from the sun. In most cases, having clothing on provides different UV rays protection. Consider wearing clothing that covers most of your body parts, such as long pants, long-sleeved shirts, or long skirts, since they provide the most efficient protection against UV rays.
You could also go for dark-colored clothing as they are perfect for protection than light colors. A tightly woven fabric could also provide better protection than loosely woven ones. Another set of better clothing for protection is dry fabric, which is more protective than wet fabric.
Nevertheless, it is essential to note that you may not block out all the Ultraviolet rays by just covering them up with clothing. UV radiation can penetrate through the clothing if you can see the light through your fabric. This is why many textile companies manufacture lightweight, comfortable clothing that can protect you from sunlight even if the fabric is wet. Their materials are often tighter and are made of special coatings that absorb UV rays. Most sun-protective clothing is labeled with a UV Protection Factor (UPF) value. The higher the value of UPF, the higher the ability of the dress to protect you from UV rays.
Wearing Sunscreen
Putting on sunscreen is also one of the best methods to protect yourself from the risks of skin cancer from UV exposure. It is worn on the skin and primarily acts as a filter for the sun’s rays. In other words, it is not perfect at blocking all the incoming UV rays. Therefore, using it for a prolonged time in the sun is not advisable.
Types of Sunscreens include broad-spectrum and water-resistant sunscreens. You should consider the sun protection factor value and read the labels before purchasing sunscreen.
Be Well!
Skin cancer is a common occurrence, and it mainly results from excessive exposure to sun and UV rays. Some of the best methods of protecting yourself against the risks of skin cancer from UV exposure include minimizing exposure to the sun, seeking shade, putting on clothing, and wearing sunscreens.
