UV Safety Month

July is UV (ultra-violet) Safety Month!

With beautiful sunny weather, it's a dream to go and spend all day basking in the sun, but unfortunately, there are downsides to this dream. Being in the sun means you are exposed to a lot of UV radiation. UV radiation causes sunburns (the least desirable outcome when you're trying to tan), and in some cases, skin cancer! Even though the weather's nice, UV radiation results are not so nice.

We love going out, so here are some tips to stay safe in the sun! 
- Use sunscreen. It's recommended that you should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that is SPF 15 or higher (even if it's cloudy). Remember that you have to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours! If you're swimming, be sure to follow the directions on the bottle!
 
- Seek shade. You reduce your risk of sun damage by simply just staying under an umbrella or tree.
 
- Wear protective clothing. Longer pants and long-sleeved shirts can provide protection from UV rays, however if this isn't possible, you should try to wear things such as a t-shirt or a beach cover-up. Tightly woven fabric in clothing can provide more protection.
 
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. Canvas, tightly woven fabric, hats work well in protecting your skin from UV rays. Try to avoid straw hats with holes. Most sunglasses meet the standard of blocking UVA and UVB, which is important for protecting your eyes. Sunglasses also help reduce the risk of cataracts.
 
Even with all the sun protection, it is still vital that you limit your exposure to the sun. Most skin cancers come from too much exposure to the sun.
 
It's also important to stay away from tanning beds. Tanning beds produce both UVA and UVB radiation during its operation, increasing the risk of developing skin cancer.
 
Summer is not the only season you should be utilizing UV protection. The sun may be brighter and hotter in the summer than in any other season, but it is still there! UV rays can affect you on cloudy and cool days, so be sure to stay protected!
 
We hope your summer is going well! Make sure to have fun while staying safe!
 
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Concerned about a spot or growth on your skin? Make an appointment at any of our locations and get it checked out. We accept most insurance plans as well as offer a variety of payment options, including the Sliding Fee Scale and payment plans, so you can get the help you need without having to worry about the cost.
 
Call or text us at (304) 643-4005 to make an appointment today.