Being outside more often is a great benefit of summer in the south. But with that said, the joys of time spent in the great outdoors are also accompanied by a little extra risk.

There is no doubt that the sun is hot and intense during the summer—and exposure to it can increase your risk of skin cancer. That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Easley is taking a few minutes to talk through some sun safety basics today.

What Does the Sun Do to Skin?

Let’s step through some basics. The sun emits ultraviolet rays with two types that are damaging to the skin, UVA and UVB. UVC rays are even more dangerous than those two types, but those rays don’t make it through the ozone.

UVA and UVB rays work slightly differently, but they both can cause damage to the skin and can increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Every person of every age, gender and race is at risk.

The Effects of Sun on Skin

• Increases signs of skin aging
• Leads to sunburn
• Can cause heat rash
• Increases the risk of skin cancer

How Can I Protect My Skin?

Your first and best defense against the harmful rays of the sun is to wear sunscreen. But what kind? While there are a plethora of types of sunscreen, there are some basic credentials you should look for.

Choose a sunscreen that indicates that it is “broad spectrum” on the label. This means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Then choose one that contains a sun protection factor of at least 30.

Other Sun Safety Basics

• Apply sunscreen to all exposed skin when going outdoors, even on cloudy days.
• Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours while outdoors.
• If you’re swimming or sweating, you’ll need to reapply more frequently.
• Pair your sunscreen with a lip balm that also contains sunscreen.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your scalp, nose and ears.

Are you feeling under the weather? Schedule an AFC TeleCare appointment with AFC Urgent Care Easley today for a diagnosis and treatment plan.