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Protecting Yourself from UV Radiation

What is Ultraviolet Radiation?

The sun is the energy source that sustains all life on earth.

Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) is simply one form of energy coming from the sun.

Ultraviolet Radiation - UV

Sunlight contains 3 types of UV raysSunlight contains 3 types of UV rays

UVAUVA—causes skin aging & wrinkles. Used in tanning beds to color skin. UVA rays pass effortlessly through the ozone layer.


2.2. UVBUVB—causes sunburns, cataracts, immune system damage, skin cancer. Melanoma may be associated with severe UVB sunburns. Some UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer.


3.3. UVCUVC—these rays are the most dangerous. Fortunately, these rays are blocked by the ozone layer and don’t reach the earth.


Even on cloudy, cool, or overcast days, UV rays travel through the clouds and reflect off sand, water, snow, and even concrete.

Clouds and pollution don’t filter out UV rays, and can give a false sense of protection.

This “invisible sun” can cause unexpected sunburn and skin damage.


The sun’s light is strongest when it is highest in the sky

(normally from 10 am to 4 pm).

UV rays are strongest during the summer.


The UV Index* predicts the next day’s UV levels on a 0-10+ scale.

*Developed by the National Weather Service and the EPA.

UV Index Number

Exposure Level

Minutes to Burn

0 to 2 Minimal 60

3 to 4 Low 45

5 to 6 Moderate 30

7 to 9 High 15

10+ Very high 10


UV Index Number

Exposure Level

Minutes to Burn

0 to 2 Minimal 60

3 to 4 Low 45

5 to 6 Moderate 30

7 to 9 High 15

10+ Very high 10

In the Sarasota area from March to September, the average UV index is above 8.0

It can reach 12 during the day.

Effects of UV Exposure

Sunburn


Sunburn develops when the amount of Sunburn develops when the amount of UV exposure is greater than the UV exposure is greater than the protection your skin’s melanin can protection your skin’s melanin can provide.provide.

The lighter your skin, the less melanin it The lighter your skin, the less melanin it has to absorb UV and protect itself.has to absorb UV and protect itself.

All skin, no matter the color, thickens and All skin, no matter the color, thickens and hardens with continued sun exposure, hardens with continued sun exposure, resulting in wrinkles later in life.resulting in wrinkles later in life.


Skin Damage


There are about 3.5 million new There are about 3.5 million new cases of skin cancer in the U.S. cases of skin cancer in the U.S. each year, resulting in about 9,800 each year, resulting in about 9,800 deaths.deaths.

Melanoma is one type of skin Melanoma is one type of skin cancer.cancer.


Skin cancer is the most common Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S. and is form of cancer in the U.S. and is largely preventable.largely preventable.

Increased outdoor leisure time, less Increased outdoor leisure time, less clothing worn outdoors, and clothing worn outdoors, and decreased ozone levels are partly to decreased ozone levels are partly to blame.blame.


Compare the underside of your arm Compare the underside of your arm to the topside of your arm to see the to the topside of your arm to see the effect of sun exposure on your skin.effect of sun exposure on your skin.

““Sun damage” causes wrinkles, Sun damage” causes wrinkles, easy bruising, brown “liver” spots, easy bruising, brown “liver” spots, and potentially, skin cancer.and potentially, skin cancer.


Scientists believe sunburns can Scientists believe sunburns can alter the body’s immune system for alter the body’s immune system for up to 24 hours after exposure to the up to 24 hours after exposure to the sun.sun.

Repeated overexposure to UV Repeated overexposure to UV radiation can cause more damage to radiation can cause more damage to the body’s immune system, even in the body’s immune system, even in people with dark skin.people with dark skin.

Guidelines for Protection

Tanning Protection


Sunscreen doesn’t offer 100% Sunscreen doesn’t offer 100% protection.protection.

SPF 30+ sunscreen blocks 96% of UV; SPF 30+ sunscreen blocks 96% of UV; SPF 15+ blocks out 93%.SPF 15+ blocks out 93%.

In addition to sunscreen, wear a hat, In addition to sunscreen, wear a hat, sunglasses, more clothing, and seek sunglasses, more clothing, and seek shade.shade.


Using SPF 30+ instead of SPF 15+ Using SPF 30+ instead of SPF 15+ does not mean you can safely does not mean you can safely double your time in the sun.double your time in the sun.

Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside. Don’t rub it in—a going outside. Don’t rub it in—a light film should stay visible.light film should stay visible.


Reapply sunscreen about every 80-90 Reapply sunscreen about every 80-90 minutes – read sunscreen instructions.minutes – read sunscreen instructions.

Water and sweat resistant sunscreen is Water and sweat resistant sunscreen is available.available.

Fragrances and moisturizers in Fragrances and moisturizers in sunscreen may cause allergic reaction; sunscreen may cause allergic reaction; experiment with other brands if this is a experiment with other brands if this is a problem.problem.


Protective Clothing


Choose clothes that cover your Choose clothes that cover your arms, legs and neck to ensure arms, legs and neck to ensure proper protection.proper protection.

You won’t get too hot or You won’t get too hot or uncomfortable in lightweight fabrics uncomfortable in lightweight fabrics like cotton, hemp or linen.like cotton, hemp or linen.


Most cotton and cotton/polyester fabrics Most cotton and cotton/polyester fabrics protect against 95% of UV, but are less protect against 95% of UV, but are less effective if wet, faded, or aged.effective if wet, faded, or aged.

Dark colors are better at absorbing UV Dark colors are better at absorbing UV than light colors.than light colors.

If you choose to wear light colors, make If you choose to wear light colors, make sure the fabric is a tight weave, such as sure the fabric is a tight weave, such as canvas.canvas.


Appropriately designed clothing is Appropriately designed clothing is great for protecting you from the great for protecting you from the sun.sun.


Eye Damage


Spending long hours in the sun with Spending long hours in the sun with no eye protection may increase your no eye protection may increase your chance of developing cataracts.chance of developing cataracts.

Even low amounts of sunlight can Even low amounts of sunlight can increase the risk of eye disorders.increase the risk of eye disorders.

UVB damage to the eyes is UVB damage to the eyes is cumulative, so it is never too late to cumulative, so it is never too late to start protecting your eyes.start protecting your eyes.


Eye Protection


Sunglasses offer excellent protection.Sunglasses offer excellent protection.

Make sure the lenses are designed to Make sure the lenses are designed to block out 95% of UV.block out 95% of UV.

Polarizing lenses and mirror finishes Polarizing lenses and mirror finishes reduce glare, but have little effect in reduce glare, but have little effect in blocking the absorption of UV rays.blocking the absorption of UV rays.

Sun Safety

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