Sun Safety

Warm, sunny summer days provide just the right incentive to get outside and enjoy outdoor pursuits, such as swimming, hiking and gardening. Before you head out, it’s important to make sure to protect your skin from sun damage. Overexposure to the sun can cause premature aging of the skin and can also raise your risk of developing skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States.

It’s easy to forget that your skin is your body’s largest organ. It protects you from heat, sunlight, infection and injury. Too much sun can damage your skin by exposing it to harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. UV radiation can’t be seen, but is part of the energy that comes from the sun. And UV radiation is present whenever the sun is in the sky, even on cloudy days. It can also be reflected by sand, water, snow and ice.

Skin cancer can strike anyone regardless of race or color. To arm yourself against these dangerous rays, keep the following prevention tips in mind throughout the year:

• Use sunscreen every day and reapply it often. Choose a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection. That means it protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before you go outside and reapply it every two hours—more often if you’re swimming or sweating. Don’t forget to apply it to your hands, feet, ears, neck and toes. Some doctors recommend choosing sunscreens with even higher SPFs. So, it is important to talk to your doctor about the best option for you.
• Wear protective clothing. A wide-brimmed hat, long sleeves and long pants can also help keep UV rays from penetrating your skin. Other types of head coverings like baseball caps may protect part of your head, but leave your ears and neck exposed. Be diligent and use sunscreen on exposed areas.
• Avoid the sun when its rays are strongest. Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you must be outdoors during those hours, seek shade whenever possible.
• Protect your eyes. Wear sunglasses with UV protection to protect your eyes and the surrounding skin.
• Remember that a tan is not a sign of good health. Tanning is your skin’s reaction when UV rays reach the skin’s inner layer. In response, the skin makes more melanin, the pigment that colors the skin. A tan is simply the way your skin cells signal that they have been damaged by the sun’s UV rays.

For more information, visit the National Cancer Institute’s website. The National Cancer Institute is part of the National Institutes of Health.

If you have questions about skin cancer or how to protect your skin, call the Blue Health Connection Nurse Advice Line, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Just call 1.888.258.3432 for immediate assistance.

Our registered nurses provide reliable health care advice, anytime and anywhere. You can also have a chat with a nurse in real time using your computer to answer your health-related questions.

In addition, you can also visit your doctor to discuss any concerns you may have about your skin. Use Preferred providers whenever possible to keep your out-of-pocket costs low. For a list of Preferred providers near you, take a look at our Provider Directory .

Enjoy your summer activities, but make sure that your skin doesn’t pay the price with sunburn and overexposure to UV rays. Protect your skin by using sunscreen, covering up and avoiding the sun when its rays are strongest.

June 2011. Paula Spurway, Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Resources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and National Cancer Institute (part of the U.S. National Institutes of Health)

Page last updated: December 16, 2011