On a bright sunny day, nothing is more enjoyable than getting outside to have some fun in the sun. But the sun carries dangers as well, ranging from the merely uncomfortable to the downright deadly.
Types
The sun has two types of UV rays that can cause damage to skin and eyes: UVA and UVB. UVA rays make up most of sunlight, and can cause wrinkles and skin cancer. UVB rays are the ones that cause sunburn. The UVB rays are also responsible for cataracts, immune system problems and some forms of skin cancer.
Effects
The most common danger of sun exposure is one most people are familiar with--the red, blistery skin that results from a sunburn. Over time, however, frequent sun exposure can lead to the far more dangerous possibility of skin cancer. In between these extremes, the sun can also cause more subtle skin damage, which leads to wrinkles, age spots, freckles and splotches.
Seasons and Conditions
While most people associate summer with the time to practice sun safety, it should actually be a concern all year round. In winter, people often get sunburns and other sun damage while skiing, since snow reflects sunlight. Even during periods of cloud cover, the UV rays from the sun can penetrate through clouds and into unprotected skin. As far as timing your outdoor sun exposure, try to avoid the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., since the sun's UV rays are strongest between these hours.
Sunscreens
Sunscreens are designed to be rubbed onto the skin in order to protect skin from UV rays. They come in different levels of SPF, which indicate the level of protection (Sun Protection Factor). The CDC recommends choosing a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be put on 30 minutes before going into the sun and reapplied every two to three hours or whenever you've been in water.
Accessories
There are many things that you can use to help protect yourself from the sun. Wide-brimmed hats are a good idea to keep the sun's rays off your face. Sunglasses are a necessity for protecting the eyes. Some people use an umbrella or parasol to provide their own moveable shade so they can keep out of the sun. UV-protective clothing is also available for outdoor activities.
Considerations
Despite all of the insistence on practicing sun safety when outside, just giving up and staying indoors all the time isn't the answer either. Humans actually do need sunshine every once in a while in order to help regulate the circadian rhythms that help people distinguish night, and day and to let the body produce vitamin D. The important thing is to limit time in the sun and protect your skin and eyes when you do go outside on a sunny day.
