is-Sun-Protection-Important-This-Summer Summer is here, which means warmer weather and far more time spent outdoors in the sun. And while it’s true that sunlight can have some positive effects on a person’s health (including providing much needed vitamin D), it can also pose some downsides as well. Especially for people who do not take the necessary precautions to protect themselves from the sun’s UV rays. In order to help our readers stay feeling their best, our healthcare providers wanted to present some essential summertime sun protection tips.

Preventing Skin Cancer & Other Skin Damage

Our skin is sensitive, and too much sun can be seriously harmful to it. The most obvious concern is the development of sunburns and skin cancer. Though these are obviously very different things, they are in fact linked. People who experience multiple sunburns in their lives are more likely to develop skin cancer over time. Other negative effects that the sun can have on a person’s skin over time include sun damage, the development of sunspots, and premature skin aging (including the development of wrinkles).

Preventing Dehydration & Heat-Related Illness

Hydration is always critical to a person’s health and wellbeing, but especially so during the hot summer months when the sun is at its strongest. This means preventing short-term issues like headaches and muscle cramping, as well as serious long-term issues like kidney damage. Additionally, getting too much sun can increase a person’s risk of common heat-related illnesses like heat stroke and heat exhaustion that occur when the body’s core temperature rises to unnaturally high levels.

With all of this in mind, we wanted to provide a few sun protection tips to help anyone stay cool and safe this summer and beyond:

  • Protecting your skin by always applying broad-spectrum sunscreen (minimum 30 SPF) during any extended period of time spent outside.
  • Reapply your sunblock at least every two hours, or more frequently if you have been in the water or sweating heavily.
  • Wearing sunglasses, wide brim hats, and sun-protective clothing whenever possible.
  • Being vigilant about your outdoor time by avoiding peak times during the hottest time of day, and taking breaks in the shade or inside when you need them.
  • Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water and eating hydration-rich foods like fresh fruits or even beverages with electrolytes if you are outdoors sweating for any extended period of time.
  • Being aware of symptoms of heat-related illnesses like dizziness, fatigue, feeling flushed, muscle cramping, nausea, or bad headaches.

The summer is meant to be a time of relaxation and enjoyment. So heed this advice and don’t let excess sun exposure put a damper on your good time this year. For more information or to schedule an appointment at one of our nine metro Atlanta area locations, contact Family Practice Center. And stay up to date on our blog posts for more health and wellness tips, and news.