Summer is an important time to raise awareness around sun damage and the importance of skin safety and health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recognizes the month of July as UV Safety Awareness Month to educate the public about ultraviolet (UV) rays and how they can impact skin and eye health.
The sun emits several types of radiation, but only two rays—UV-A and UV-B—reach the earth’s surface. Both types of rays pose risks to skin and health. UV-A rays are responsible for long-term skin damage, like wrinkles, and likely play a role in some skin cancers. UV-B rays are what cause sunburns by directly damaging skin cells and are thought to be the cause of most skin cancers.
The Impact of Sun Damage on Skin
Excessive sun and UV ray exposure can lead to damage of both the skin and eyes. Even one instance of a serious sunburn can increase your chance of developing skin cancer by up to 50%. If sun safety precautions are not taken, unprotected sun exposure can lead to:
- Skin cancer, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma
- Damage of the eyes and vision problems
- Premature aging and premature skin damage
- Immune system suppression
Skin Cancer
Of these issues, skin cancer poses the greatest risks to long-term health. Approximately one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, and more than two people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, and this year, an estimated 207,390 cases of melanoma will be diagnosed in the U.S. The number of people dying of melanoma is increasing, and the number of new invasive melanoma cases diagnosed annually increased 44% over the past decade.
When detected early by a dermatologist or physician, all skin cancers can be diagnosed and treated. Therefore, it is important to have your skin examined at least once a year by a healthcare professional and to seek care if you notice changes to freckles, moles, or other skin features.
Ways to Minimize Sun Exposure Risks
While sun exposure is inevitable, there are ways to minimize and prevent exposure that leads to moderate to severe skin damage. The best ways to minimize and prevent sun damage are:
- Staying in shaded and covered areas during high sun exposure times, particularly around midday
- Wearing protective sun clothing such as hats, sunglasses, and body-covering clothing
- Wearing and applying proper amounts of sunscreen (Visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) guidance on applying and storing sunscreen)
Dermatologists and Skin Care Professionals
The HEROES Research team would like to thank all dermatologists and skin care professionals. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought many challenges to the personal and professional lives of all healthcare workers, including skin care professionals.
All dermatologists and skin care professionals, as well as their family members and friends, are invited to join the HERO Registry, a community of people who share what it is like to work and live during the COVID-19 pandemic. After joining the HERO Registry, people who have recently received a COVID-19 vaccine can join HERO-TOGETHER, a paid post-vaccination research opportunity. By taking part, participants provide real-time information to help us better understand vaccine safety and how vaccines affect different people over time. Help us spread the word, and thank you for your work.
Sources:
https://www.va.gov/qualityofcare/education/uv_safety_awareness_month.asp
https://www.cancer.org/healthy/be-safe-in-sun.html
https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts/