Understanding sunscreen could save your skin

Did you know the DNA in your skin is literally damaged and mutated every time you get a sunburn? Did you know you’re not safe from the effects of the sun even on a cloudy day? Did you know in 2021, Oregon had the 16^th highest rate of melanoma in the country?

Without proper protection, the sun can cause serious damage to our health.

The good news is a broad-spectrum sunscreen helps guard against the effects of the sun’s harmful UV rays. But how does sunscreen actually work? Check out the video below for the science behind sunburns, skin cancer, and sunscreen:

“Unprotected exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays is a major risk factor for skin cancer,” says Wendy Boughton, SAIF occupational safety and health nurse consultant. “That’s why cancer and other skin concerns often show up on places such as forearms, face, neck, and tops of ears that are exposed to the sun on a daily basis and not typically covered by clothing.”  

Here are some tips on protecting your skin every day:  

• Sunscreen needs to be applied to dry skin 15 minutes before you go outside. 
• It needs to be broad protection (against UVA and UVB rays), SPF30 or higher, and water-resistant. 
• Make sure you use enough. The general guideline is one ounce (enough to fill a shot glass) for the exposed parts of your body. A nickel-sized dollop is typically adequate for the face. 
• Remember to apply to the top of head, back of neck, tops of feet, and ears. 
• Sunscreens with higher SPF protection don’t mean you can stay in the sun longer or need to reapply it less frequently. 
• Don’t use sunscreen past its expiration date or for longer than three years. To save it from going to waste, apply it every day. 
• Lips need protection, too, so use lip balm with an SPF rating. 
• Also wear sun-protective clothing, including a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection. 

For more information about sun protection, visit saif.com/SunSafety.