How to save your skin from summer rays, and why hats deserve a place in your sun protection lineup.
| | | | Hi, friends! It's almost June, which means sun-soaked activities are back in full swing. So we're checking in today with overdue reminders about how to keep yourself as safe as possible from the sun's powerful rays. Below, we debunk some common misconceptions about sun protection and give you more information about: | | | | | Stay sharp,
Ginger Wojcik
Newsletter Editor, Healthline | | | | |
| |  | | Written by Ginger Wojcik
May 31, 2023 • 5.5 min read | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | 4 things we often get wrong about sun protection | The sun is no joke. Not only does ultraviolet (UV) exposure cause the majority of skin cancers worldwide, but it's also responsible for as much as 80% of your skin's signs of aging. But as harmful as the sun's rays can be, spending time outdoors is one of life's great joys, not to mention immensely beneficial to your health.
Thus, effective sun protection is a critical life skill. With that in mind, here are some common things that people get wrong about sun protection. - "Having a base tan is equivalent to wearing sunscreen." A tan has been found to be as effective as using an SPF 3 or 4, far lower than the recommended SPF 30+.
- "You can safely get a tan if you work up to it." "There is NO such thing as a safe tan," says board certified dermatologist Julie Karen. "While a tan is less harmful than a blistering sunburn, once you see a tan, the damage is done."
- "Waterproof sunscreen stays on while swimming." At best, sunscreens are water-resistant. If you're swimming, reapply between every 40–80 minutes, and after each time you towel off.
- You only need sunscreen when you're spending time outside in the sun. Up to 80%of UV rays still get through on cloudy days. They can also penetrate glass (at lesser rates).
Keep reading about how to stay safe from the sun!
More on sun protection: | | | | | | |
| | | | Editor faves with health perks | | | | | | |  | | San Diego Hat Company El Campo Sun Hat | | I own this wide-brimmed hat from San Diego Hat Company, and I'm obsessed. Not only is it made with ultraviolet protection filter (UPF) 50+ material (which means it blocks out 98% of the sun's rays) it has TWO cinch straps: one on the inner rim of the hat and another under the chin, so it stays snug on my head even on windy days. Plus, it's stylish enough to dress up or down, so you can wear it to parties, the dog park, or wherever else this summer takes you. | | | | Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health. | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | An expert weighs in | Q: Is it ever "too late" to start practicing sun-safe habits?
A: Nope! While we used to estimate that the vast majority of a person's lifetime sun damage occurred during childhood, we now know that by age 22, only about 20% of one's lifetime damage has been accrued. Each decade thereafter, we acquire an additional 10% of our lifetime damage. Therefore, introducing sun-smart behaviors, even after years of carelessness, will help to reduce additional UV damage from occurring and thus reduce one's cumulative risk of developing all forms of skin cancer.
– Julie Karen, a board certified dermatologist | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |  | | | How to make hats a part of your lifestyle (for your health!) | If sunscreen were a failure-proof sun protection method, I would never wear a hat. After all, hat hair is real! But alas, no sunscreen blocks 100% of UV rays. Plus, it's easy to miss reapplying every 2 hours as recommended..
While hats shouldn't be your sole form of protection — UV rays bounce and can therefore affect you in the shade — they can boost your efforts when used in tandem with sunscreen. Because I'm passionate about sun protection, I've learned to work hats into my lifestyle.
Here are some tips I've learned along the way: | | • | Invest in fashionable hats: You may find there are many outdoor events in the summer where you want to look nice and still have protection. | | • | Look for hats that are rated UPF 30+: This means the fabric has been approved to block out the majority of UV rays. | | • | Opt for wide-brimmed hats whenever possible: A baseball cap can be a convenient solution in a pinch, but it won't protect your ears, neck, or shoulders. | | • | Buy hats that will stay on your head: Thanks to our old friend the wind, a hat needs to have a cinching mechanism in order to be effective. | | • | Always keep a hat in your car: This is your car hat. It does not leave the car unless it's on your head. | | | Want to protect your health in style this summer? Check out our article on which sun protective clothing works best. | | | | | | |
| | | | | | As a fair skinned person who surfs, my relationship with the sun is fraught, to say the least. I follow all guidelines as strictly as I can, but at the end of the day I have to accept that my lifestyle requires a certain level of risk when it comes to the sun. Do you have a similar experience from your own life you feel willing to share? | | Tell us: How do you balance enjoying sunny weather while still protecting yourself from UV rays? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may share your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!) | | | | | | |
| | | | Thanks for reading, everyone! Last week, we asked for health-related book suggestions and got some great responses we wanted to share with you all. Enjoy! (These responses have been edited for clarity.)
2 favs of late: Eat to Beat Your Diet [by] William Li and Into the Flo [by] Alissa Vitti — Marissa F.
Best wellness book is "Outlive" by Dr Peter Attria. I am almost halfway through and it is eye opening on so many health topics so far. — Joe K.
A fantastic "wellness" book helped me understand and appreciate the interconnectivity of all things from the ancient wisdom of [an] indigenous person and botanist. Opened up my spirit and sense of belonging. Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer — Michael
The best health related book I've read recently is Our Bodies, Ourselves [by Judy Norsigian]! — Zoe H.
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