U.V. Safety Awareness Month is celebrated every July. Ultraviolet A (UVA): UVA rays penetrate deep into the layers of the skin and lead to premature signs of aging, which include fine lines and wrinkles. It is important to note that the amount of UVA stays relatively consistent throughout the year, and exceeds the amount of UVB in both summer and winter. Even on a cloudy day, 80% of the sun’s UVA rays pass through the clouds and reach our skin and eyes. It’s also important to know that tanning beds work by emitting primarily UVA rays.

The sun emits radiation in the form of Ultraviolet or U.V. light, which is classified into three types: U.V.A., U.V.B., and U.V.C. The ozone layer protects the Earth’s stratosphere and blocks the most damaging U.V.C. light, but U.V.B. and U.V.A. light passes through it. U.V.C. radiation can come from artificial sources such as sunlamps or tanning beds. The Global Solar U.V. Index or U.V.I. describes the level of solar U.V. radiation at the Earth’s surface. The higher the index value, the greater the potential for damage to the skin and eyes. Radiation from U.V. light is invisible but is always present during the day even when you can’t see or feel the sun. These rays can be harmful to our skin and eyes. Aside from wrinkles and sunburn, exposure is associated with the development of skin cancer. Our eyes can be affected by cataracts, cornea damage, and vision loss if left unprotected in the long term.

The sun is at its peak between 10 am to four pm. Head indoors or under shade during these hours. If you stay outside longer for work or play, sunscreen with a high S.P.F. of at least 30, a broad-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and breathable clothing that covers you up can offer the most protection. U.V. rays can pass through clouds.

HOW TO OBSERVE UV SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH

• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Don’t rely on contact lenses. Even if you wear contact lenses with UV protection, remember your sunglasses.
• Beat the heat with a dip in the pool or a swim in the ocean. Just be sure to avoid the sun during peak hours and reapply sunscreen afterward if you’ll be spending more time outdoors.
• Wear a hat. In addition to your sunglasses, wear a broad-brimmed hat to protect your eyes.
• Don’t be fooled by clouds. The sun’s rays can pass through haze and thin clouds. Sun damage to eyes can occur anytime during the year, not just in the summertime.
• Protect your eyes during peak sun times. Sunglasses should be worn whenever outside, and it’s especially important to wear sunglasses in the early afternoon and at higher altitudes, where UV light is more intense.
• Never look directly at the sun. Looking directly at the sun at any time, including during an eclipse, can lead to solar retinopathy, damage to the eye’s retina from solar radiation.
• Don’t forget the kids. Everyone is at risk, including children. Protect their eyes with hats and sunglasses.

THINGS TO KNOW TO STAY SUN SAFE

• S.P.F. stands for Sun Protection Factor. The SPF number tells you how long the sun’s U.V. rays would take to darken your skin versus the amount of time without any sunscreen.
• Always use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. This means it can protect you from both U.V.A. rays that cause sunburn and U.V.B. rays that cause skin damage like skin aging.
• Not all sunglasses are created equal. Wrap-around or oversized styles offer more protection but make sure they block 99% to 100% of U.V. rays.
• U.P.F. clothing can be expensive. Clothes labeled with Ultraviolet Protection Factor or U.P.F. provide a level of certainty but common fabrics like cotton and denim that cover most of your body can offer some protection as well.
• Some clothing colors can provide U.V. protection. Darker and more vivid colors absorb more UV than pale colors, making them less likely to reach your skin.

WHY UV SAFETY AWARENESS MONTH IS IMPORTANT

• It reminds us that unprotected sun exposure can also affect our eyes. We immediately associate skin cancer as a negative effect of excessive sun exposure, but our eyes can suffer damage too.
• It helps us to be mindful of something we take for granted. The sun has been our planet’s source of energy since time began. It brings us light but it can also cause serious harm if we don’t protect ourselves.
• It highlights that sun protection is important all year round
• Summer is not the only time we need sunscreen or sunglasses. We need to protect our skin and eyes from sun damage every day of the year.

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