Ohio 24/7 Now: How to Stay Safe in the Sun This Summer
With Memorial Day, the unofficial start of summer, in the rear view mirror, many of us are starting to plan outdoor activities for the coming months. Do you have the pool, beach, golf, tennis, outdoor fairs and festivals or other gatherings on your calendar? If so, it's important to remember to take some safety precautions to keep your skin safe from sun damage as you spend more time outside.
Slathering on the sun screen every day, even when you won't be outside for long, is one of the most important things you can do.
"Getting a tan is one thing, but you should still be applying sun screen to protect yourself from getting burned," said Natalie Jones, MD, breast and melanoma surgeon and chair of the OhioHealth breast health program, in an interview with Emily Doll of Ohio 24/7 Now.
Protecting yourself from the sun isn't just for sunny days. Even days with full cloud cover can damage your skin.
"You can even get quite a bit of ultraviolet exposure even on cloudy days, which a lot of people aren't aware of," said Dr. Jones.
Dr. Jones told Ohio 24/7 Now that no matter your skin tone, you still need to take precautions.
"The same rules apply regardless of your skin tone or color," said Dr. Jones. "You need SPF 30 or above, protective clothing, hats; all of that is equally important no matter what your skin tone is."
