Protect Yourself from the Sun’s UV Rays

Summer’s here, and that means summer camps, family outings, beach days, or maybe you work outdoors. So, this is the perfect moment to check whether you’re really protecting yourself from ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays are invisible rays that come from the sun or tanning beds. While we do need some sunlight to help our bodies make vitamin D, too much exposure can damage your cells — causing everything from sunburn and premature aging to skin cancer.

Even though sun protection matters all year long, UV rays are strongest during the summer.

How to protect yourself from the sun’s UV rays

Here are some easy ways to keep your skin safe:

1. Wear clothing that covers your skin: Long sleeve shirts, long pants, or long skirts are great options

You can even find clothing designed with built in UV protection.

• Long sleeves and long pants cover most of your skin and offer the best protection.
• Tightly woven fabrics protect better than loose knit materials.

2. Wear a wide brimmed hat

Hats with a 2–3 inch brim help shield areas that usually get hit hardest by the sun: your ears, eyes, forehead, nose, and scalp.

Another great option is a flap hat — the kind with fabric hanging down the sides and back — which gives extra protection for your neck.

3. Stay in the shade

The easiest way to limit UV exposure is to avoid direct sunlight for long periods. When you’re outside — especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is strongest — try to stay under trees, umbrellas, or canopies.

4. Use sunscreen

Sunscreen helps filter UV rays, though it doesn’t block them completely. Apply it generously and make sure to cover any skin not protected by clothing: your face, ears, neck, arms, the tops of your feet, your scalp, and your hairline. Don’t forget your lips — use lip balm with SPF.

Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, and more often if you’re sweating or swimming. No sunscreen offers total protection, and a higher SPF doesn’t mean you can stay in the sun longer. Look for broad spectrum products (UVA + UVB) with SPF 30 or higher.

5. Wear sunglasses that block UV rays

Sunglasses protect your eyes and the delicate skin around them. Research shows that spending long hours in the sun without eye protection increases the risk of certain eye diseases, including eye cancer. When choosing sunglasses, keep this in mind:

• Pick sunglasses labeled UV 400 or “100% UV protection.” They block over 99% of UVA and UVB rays.
• Larger frames offer more coverage and better protection.
• Kids should also wear sunglasses with UV protection — toy sunglasses usually don’t have it.

6. Skip tanning beds and sun lamps

Indoor tanning devices expose you to intense UV radiation and increase your risk of skin cancer. Indoor tanning:

• Exposes users to high levels of UV rays
• Doesn’t prevent sunburns — a “base tan” is actually skin damage
• Can cause serious injuries; more than 3,000 people end up in the ER each year due to indoor tanning accidents

Take action this July

Protect yourself from UV rays by following these simple steps. Remember: a tan isn’t a sign of health — it’s a sign of skin damage. Visit a dermatologist to check any moles or spots on your skin. Prevention is always better than treatment.

Sources: US Centers for Disease Control, American Cancer Society, U.S. Food & Drug Administration,U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

About Fulcro

Founded in 1981, Fulcro Insurance is a Hispanic-owned brokerage firm with offices in Puerto Rico, Florida, Georgia, and the Dominican Republic. Our industry-specific specialists provide our clients with the capabilities required to design and place cost-effective insurance, surety, and employee benefits solutions that protect you and your business against the unexpected.