UV Index
UVA-the "aging rays." Penetrates deep and makes skin look old and wrinkly
UVB-the "burning rays." Does not penetrate as much but causes more sunburn
The UV Index is a daily forecast of the UV radiation levels people might experience. The Index predicts the next day's levels on a 0 to 10+ scale, helping people determine appropriate sun protection behaviors. The higher the UV Index, the less time it takes for skin damage to occur.

Children are most at risk for overexposure to UV radiation because they spend a lot of time outdoors. Just one or two blistering sunburns in childhood can double a person's risk of developing melanoma (skin cancer) later in life.

UV Index Ratings:
0 to 2 Minimal-Most people can stay in the sun for up to one hour during the hours of peak sun strengths (10am-2pm) without burning.
3 to 4 Low-Fair-skinned people might burn in less than 20 minutes.
5 to 6 Moderate-Fair-skinned people might burn in less than 15 minutes.
7 to 9 High-Fair-skinned people might burn in less than 10 minutes.
10+ Very High-Fair-skinned people might burn in less than 5 minutes.

A website hosted by the Environmental Protection Agency that will give your UV index:
www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvindex.html

Sun Safety Alliance can also give you your UV Index:
www.sunsafetyalliance.org/index.aspx

Sunscreen
The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that, regardless of skin type, a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 should be used year-round.

SPF (Sun Protection Factor)
SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. Sunscreens are rated or classified by the strength of their SPF. The SPF numbers range from as low as 2 to greater than 50. These numbers refer to the product's ability to screen or block out the sun's burning rays. The sunscreen SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce a sunburn on sunscreen protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause a sunburn on unprotected skin.

For example, if hypothetically, I normally turn red after ten minutes in the sun, and I use a sunscreen rated SPF 2, I could stay in the sun twenty minutes before I started to turn red. Hypothetically. A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 would allow me to multiply that initial burning time by 15, which means it would take 15 times longer to burn, or 150 minutes.

When, How Much, and How Often
Sunscreens should be used every day if you are going to be in the sun for more than 20 minutes. Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin 15-30 minutes BEFORE going outdoors. Make sure to apply sunscreen to your face, ears, hands and arms, and coat the skin liberally. It may seem like a lot, but one ounce, or enough to fill a shot glass, is considered the amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body properly. Don't forget to use a lip balm that contains sunscreen to protect your lips.

Sunscreens should be re-applied every 2 hours or after swimming or perspiring heavily. Even so-called water resistant sunscreens may lose their effectiveness after 80 minutes in the water. Sunscreens rub off as well as wash off, so if you've towel-dried reapply waterproof sunscreen for continued protection.
Unless indicated by an expiration date, the FDA requires that all sunscreens be stable and at their original strength for at least three years.

Sun Protection Habits
The best sun protection is provided when all the sun-safe behaviors are practiced together. Sun protection habits include

Apply a broad spectrum sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 or higher, apply 20 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, especially when playing, gardening, swimming or doing any other outdoor activities. Protect children. Don't forget the nose, lips, ears and backs of hands and feet! Stick sunscreen products with paraffin are good for those areas, since they don't drip and sting young eyes. Babies under 6 months old should spend very little time in the sun.

Seek shade whenever possible. Remember "No shadow-seek the shade!" If your shadow is shorter than you are, the damaging rays of the sun are at their strongest and you're likely to sunburn.

Wear protective clothing, including a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and long-sleeved shirt and pants during prolonged periods of sun exposure.

Limit sun exposure during the hours when the sun's rays are the strongest, 10am to 4pm.

Refer to the daily UV index when planning outdoor events.

Additional Internet Links

National Coalition for Skin Cancer Prevention (links to sites addressing sun and skin cancer)
www.sunsafety.org

American Sun Protection Association
www.americansun.org

American Academy of Dermatology
www.aad.org

National Safety Council-Environment Health Center
www.nsc.org

Treating a Sunburn

In case you forget to cover up and apply sunscreen, you just spent too much time in the sun with reapplying, or you missed a spot, the resulting sunburn can be painful as well as dangerous. Don't assume that because you can't see a burn, you aren't getting a burn. It sometimes takes up to 24 hours before the full burn is visible.
The two most common are first-degree burns and second degree burns.

First-degree sunburns are the most common. They cause redness and will heal, possibly with some peeling, within a few days. They are best treated with cool baths and bland moisturizers. Avoid the use of "-caine" products (such as benzocaine). Taking Aspirin orally may lessen early development of sunburn.

Second degree sunburns are less common. They blister and can be considered a medical emergency if a large area is affected. When a burn is severe, accompanied by a headache, chills or a fever, seek medical help right away.

Damage Caused by overexposure to the sun:

Skin Cancer
Although it is the most common of all the cancers, skin cancer is a largely preventable disease. There are three main types of skin cancer.

Basal Cell Carcinoma
characterized by small fleshy bumps on the skin. Basal cell carcinoma is the most commonly diagnosed skin cancer. Areas of the body that are overexposed to sun (face, ears, lips, and nose) are particularly susceptible. Basal cell carcinoma rarely results in death.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma
characterized by red scaly patches on the skin. It is more aggressive than basal cell carcinoma and can spread to other parts of the body.

Melanoma
Life-threatening type of cancer characterized by irregular moles or other dark spots on the skin. Malignant melanoma is the most deadly of the three major skin cancers, causing approximately 75 percent of skin cancer deaths. Receiving one or two blistering sunburns before the age of 18 at least doubles an individual's risk for developing melanoma.

Eye Damage
Spending long hours in the sun without eye protection increases the chances of developing eye diseases, including cataracts.

Photo aging/Wrinkling
Chronic overexposure to the sun changes the texture and weakens the elastic properties of the skin. The epidermis, which is the outer layer of the skin, thickens, becomes leathery, and wrinkles as a result of sun exposure. The difference between skin tone, wrinkles, or pigmentation on the underside of a person's arm and the top side of the same arm illustrate the effects of sun exposure on skin. In most cases, the top side of the arm has had more exposure to the sun and shows greater sun damage.