Sunday, July 27, 2008

Preventing Sun Damage

Reduce sun exposure through the hours of 10 am to 4 pm, when the sun is tough. Try your outdoor program for the early morning or late afternoon.

Put on a hat, long-sleeved shirts and long pants when going out in the sun. Prefer tightly-woven cloth for better protection from the sun's rays.

Apply a sunscreen prior to every exposure to the sun, and reapply regularly and liberally, at least each two hours, as long as you keep on in the sun. The sunscreen should constantly be reapplied after swimming or perspiring heavily, because products change in their degrees of water resistance. I suggest sunscreens with as SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more printed on the label.

Don't fail to remember to use your sunscreen on gloomy days. The sun's rays are as damaging to your skin on cloudy, hazy days as they are on sunny days.

Individuals at high risk for skin cancer (outdoor workers, fair-skinned individuals, and persons who have already had skin cancer) should apply sunscreens daily.

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