July is UV Safety Awareness Month

Summer is in full swing and July is UV Awareness Month, a reminder for us to protect ourselves from the harsh rays of the summer sun.

Ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage our skin and our eyes. Spending too much time in the sun for too long without protection could lead to premature aging, wrinkling, sagging skin, and, of course, skin cancer.

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The first line of defense - wear sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 30 or more whenever you are in the sun. If you are outdoors for a while, you should reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes to two hours.

Remember, redo in two.

Plus, don’t forget to wear sunglasses with 100 percent UV protection. They are like sunscreen for your eyes. We all want to enjoy this beautiful weather, but we need to take steps to protect ourselves from the powerful UV rays. Here are more tips to stay safe in the summer sun, while not giving up on summer fun.

Halfpoint/Getty Stock/ThinkStock
Halfpoint/Getty Stock/ThinkStock
1
Don’t Forget To Spend Some Time Inside
While enjoying the nice weather is one of the best parts of summer, remember to take breaks from being in the sun all day. The CDC recommends that we stay inside during midday hours as much as possible. While it might sound like a lot, sitting in the shade instead of the sun could save your skin in the long run.
travnikovstudio/Getty Stock/ThinkStock
travnikovstudio/Getty Stock/ThinkStock
2
Protect Your Body
Whether it’s an hour or a whole day in the sun without protection, our skin remembers every minute of UV radiaton. To stay safe from the sun, we need to wear clothes that cover our arms and legs and use the right sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that we use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. It is also important to keep reapplying throughout the day especially if you plan on swimming in the water.
Maridav/Getty Stock/ThinkStock
Maridav/Getty Stock/ThinkStock
3
Protect Your Eyes
Our skin is not the only thing being affected by UV radiation. Our eyes are a major risk too, if not protected. Sun exposure to our eyes can lead to vision damage such as cataracts and macular degeneration. Johns Hopkins Medicine recommends sunglasses with broad-spectrum UV protection of 400 and a hat with a wide brim.
Jupiterimages, Brand X Pictures/Getty Stock/ThinkStock
Jupiterimages, Brand X Pictures/Getty Stock/ThinkStock
4
Work It Into Your Daily Routine
With the number of moisturizers and products on the market containing SPF, it is easy to find something that protects our skin from the effects of the sun without going out of our way. There are moisturizers in all different price ranges with SPF or 30 or more that can be used in our daily routine.