School is out and summer is finally here. The time has come to lie out by the pool or the ocean and catch some rays with your friends. There is one item to bring that is even more important than the lemonade and snacks—the sunscreen. Sunscreen is hands down the most important accessory to carry everywhere this summer, and here is why.
UVA and UVB rays are both harmful to your skin. UVA rays set deeply in your skin, which can eventually cause skin cancer. UVB rays impact the surface of your skin, immediately causing tans, but eventually causing wrinkles. Make sure the new bottles of sunscreen you buy this upcoming summer protect you from both UVA and UVB rays.
The expiration date marked on your bottle of sunscreen actually matters. Although you may not be consuming the item, the sunscreen becomes ineffective once the date passes. Sunscreen is expensive, and you may want to reuse some of last year's bottles, but it will benefit you in the end to spend the extra $10 on a new bottle before your vacation.
Even on a cloudy day, you can get a sunburn! Clouds are like an invisible cover blocking you from being blinded by the sun. The UV rays are stronger than the vaporized water, and the “sunshine” is still harmful. A cloudy day by the pool or at the beach should still include sunscreen, better safe than sorry.
Primetime for the sun
A lot of people lie out with tanning oil on between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. under the sun to catch the best tan. The tanning oil does nothing but draw the UV rays' attentions, but sunscreen is a barrier between the sun and your skin. 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. is when the UV rays are the strongest, so the more sunscreen, the more effective.
One layer of sunscreen is a good start, but for the best results of no sunburn, always reapply. UV rays break through the different layers of sunscreen, so at least once every two hours, be sure to put another layer of sunscreen on just to be sure you are still protected. Tip: Put your first layer of sunscreen on 15 minutes before going outside.
Sunburns are serious. Developing a sunburn only once as a child will greatly increase the risk of developing skin cancer at the ages of 25-29. Melanoma affected around 76,380 people in 2016, and kills 10,130 people annually. If you are worried about melanoma for a certain spot on your skin, follow the ABCDEs.
Asymmetry: The asymmetry of a melanoma spot means if you cannot draw a line down the middle of the spot, and have one half mirror the other, it is a warning sign.
Border: The edges of a melanoma spot tend to be uneven or notched.
Color: The color of a melanoma spot tend to be different shades of brown, tan, or black.
Diameter: The diameter of a melanoma spot tend to be larger than the eraser of a pencil tip (.25 inches).
Evolving: The evolution of a melanoma spot includes any change in size, shape, color, or elevation.
If you have any of the above warning signs, or feel uneasy about any skin spots, consult a healthcare professional. Summer is finally here, and it is time for the sunscreen. Although you may not be the most tan person of your friend group, your skin will be the healthiest, and have the least wrinkles in the following years. Enjoy summer, and always remember to reapply!
