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Fun in the sun requires precautions Whether you'll be sitting on the beach, piloting the boat or lazily casting a fishing line, chances are the rising temperatures and warm sun will be too welcoming for you to ignore. As welcoming as those rays can be, they can also be very dangerous. Skin cancer is serious side effect of overexposure. Though a number of factors come into play in regards to an individual's susceptibility to skin cancer, there are a number of precautions you can take to limit your chances of suffering any negative side effects from too much exposure to teh sun. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), the following easy precautions should help protect you. + Limit exposure during midday. Even though these are popular hours for enjoying time outdoors, the most damaging time of day to be exposed to ultraviolet rays is between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is when the sun is high in the sky and your shadow is shorter than you. Be especially wary when in the water during these hours. Though the water will feel refreshing and cooling, harmful UV rays can pass through water, meaning you're just as susceptible to damaging rays in the water as you are on land. Similarly, just as snow reflects sunlight, so, too, does sand and water, increasing the amount of UV radiation you receive. Before heading out into the sun, check your local newspaper or radio station to see what the day's UV index is. The lower the number, the safer you'll be. If your local newspaper or radio station does not list the UV index for that day, visit the Environmental Protection Agency Web site at www.epa.gov. + Cover up and dress smart. When out in the sun, doing your best to stay as covered as possible is a recommended precaution. The ACS recommends keeping a shirt on in the sun and wearing dark colors, which prevent more UV rays from reaching your skin. For children, finding bathing suits that protect them from the neck to the knees, along the lines of a surfer's wetsuit is recommended. + Wear a hat. The most ideal hats to wear are those that feature wraparound brims, protecting not only your eyes, nose and face from the sun, but your neck and ears as well. According to the ACS, skin cancers commonly develop on parts left exposed by baseball caps, such as the back of the neck and ears, so wearing a baseball cap is typically not sufficient protection. + Use a higher-SPF sunscreen. While some shy away from sunscreen products with higher Skin Protection Factor, using a sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 is recommended by the ACS. An SPF 15 blocks out 93 of the sun's burning UV rays, while an SPF 4 blocks just 75 percent. It's also important to know that "waterproof" and "water-resistant" sunscreens are not one and the same. Waterproof sunscreens can protect you for at least 80 minutes when swimming or even sweating, while water-resistant types typically provide half that amount of protection. Reapplying sunscreen after swimming or excessive sweating is recommended, as is reapplication every two hours, regardless of how much time you've spent in the water or how much you've perspired. + Wear protective sunglasses. Sunglasses shouldn't be just a fashion statement but a way to protect yourself as well. UVabsorbent sunglasses are recommended, since they can block between 99 and 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation (always check the label before purchasing). Children, too, should wear such glasses, since their eyes are just as susceptible to sun damage as an adult's. + Avoid sunlamps and tanning salons. Despite their growing popularity in recent years, tanning beds can be harmful, emitting UVA and UVB radiation according to the ACS. Exposure to both UVA and UVB can cause serious damage to your skin while contributing to the formation of skin cancer. Sunlamps can be damaging as well and should always be in strict adherence with the US Food and Drug Administration regulations (www.fda.gov).
+ Check your skin. Checking your skin on a daily basis after showering or bathing is an easy and safe precaution to take. In a well-lit room, look for changes in size, shape, color or texture of any blemishes or any sores that aren't healing. Anything suspicious should immediately be brought to the attention of your physician. The earlier signs of precancerous conditions are detected, the more likely the treatment will simple, safe and successful.
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