Avoiding sun damage doesn't have to mean spending the summer indoors. With the right know-how, you can continue enjoying your favorite outdoor activities while protecting your skin.
Spending time in the sunshine without sun protection significantly increases your risk of skin cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is most common in people aged 65 and older. Despite these risks, less than 50% of seniors protect their skin adequately when spending an hour or more outside in sunny weather.
The Skin Cancer Foundation says as few as five sunburn episodes in a lifetime is all it takes to double the risk of melanoma. Furthermore, natural age-related skin changes reduce the body's resistance to skin cancer, making seniors more susceptible.
While knowing you're at greater risk of skin cancer can be scary, the good news is that you can take steps to protect your skin and minimize the chances. You don't have to hide inside and skip your favorite activities in your assisted living community — some simple tricks and a little planning can help you spend time outside in nature without damaging your skin.
All the tips below help reduce sun damage. However, using multiple sun protection methods simultaneously is the most effective way to prevent sunburn and skin cancer.
Sunscreen can't totally block UVA rays from your skin, but it helps protect areas not covered by clothing. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends choosing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, but choosing a higher-SPF product may provide even better protection.
The following advice can help sunscreen protect your skin more effectively:
When purchasing sunscreen, read labels carefully to ensure your product meets the FDA's broad-spectrum rules. Some sunscreens are water-resistant, but you'll likely need to reapply them more often while swimming. Follow any instructions on the sunscreen packaging to ensure good protection while swimming or sweating heavily.
Smart clothing choices can help prevent potentially harmful rays from damaging your skin. Ideally, you should cover as much of your skin as possible by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long skirts or pants and a wide-brimmed hat.
If you find covering up uncomfortably hot, consider investing in clothes made from light, breathable fabrics such as cotton and linen. These materials feel significantly cooler against the skin than synthetic fabrics, and their breathability allows hot air to escape.
Don't forget your eyes when planning your summer wardrobe. UV light exposure can damage your eyes and may increase your risk of cataracts, macular degeneration and eyelid cancer.
The National Eye Institute recommends wearing sunglasses to protect your eyes during sunny weather. Choose sunglasses with UV-blocking lenses to block or reflect UV light. If you wear contact lenses, consider asking your eye doctor about UV-resistant contacts.
Staying out of the sun during peak sunlight decreases your risk of sunburn by shielding you from the harshest rays. As a rule, the chance of sunburn is highest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. However, it's worth bearing in mind that the hottest time of day is often later because it takes time for the earth to absorb the sun's warmth. Therefore, you can't necessarily rely on outdoor temperatures to determine when to shelter from the sun.
While sitting under a tree or umbrella is better than staying in full sun, shade doesn't provide full UV protection. Many structures allow UV rays to penetrate, and light also reflects off nearby surfaces. If you want to stay outside during peak sunlight hours, consider purchasing a specialized shelter with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of at least 30. Shelters with sides, such as arbor tents or teepees, also provide protection from reflected UV light. Alternatively, you could plan outdoor activities for the morning and later afternoon and head back to your assisted living apartment during the sunniest parts of the day.
While avoiding sun damage altogether is the safest option, knowing how to treat sunburn can prevent further damage and discomfort. If you get sunburned, avoid exposing your skin to further sunlight and reduce inflammation with aloe- or soy-based moisturizing creams. Resist popping blisters or peeling your skin to reduce the risk of infections.
Staying hydrated while recovering from sunburn is essential, so you may need to consume more nonalcoholic beverages than usual for around 24 hours. Seek help from your doctor or the Collinwood health care team if you have severe sunburn or significant pain.
