Next Installment Campus Wellness Letter,
Vol.12, No.15 March 2005
Fun In The Sun…But Don’t Get “Well Done!”

Summer is nearly here and many of us will be spending time outdoors in the sun. Here are some facts about sun exposure.

Repeated exposure to the sun damages elastin fibers in the skin and accelerates the aging process. Skin loses elasticity, starts to sag and wrinkle, and becomes leathery.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are an invisible form of radiation. Scientists believe that exposure one type of rays called UVA increase the risk of skin cancer.

UV ray exposure can also lead to cataracts, allergic reactions, and a depressed immune system.

Who needs protection?

Skin types vary in response to sun exposure. Know your type!
• Type I: Always burns, never tans, sensitive to sun exposure
• Type II: Burns easily, tans minimally
• Type III: Burns moderately, tans gradually to light brown
• Type IV: Burns minimally, always tans well to moderately brown
• Type V: Rarely burns, tans profusely to dark
• Type VI: Never burns, deeply pigmented, least sensitive
• Types I and II are at highest risk for damaging skin; all types benefit from protection!

Prevention strategies:

• Avoid sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm when sun’s rays are strongest
• Apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher about 20 minutes before going outside
• Reapply sunscreen after swimming, sweating, or drying yourself with a towel
• Wear a hat and sunglasses

What to do if you over-do it!

- Take a cool bath or apply cool compresses to the skin
- Take acetaminophen (Tylenol) or aspirin for pain
- Lie down in a cool, dark room if mild fever and headache occur
- Apply lotion to sooth skin and relieve itching

Things to remember….

- Beware at the beach!
- Sunlight reflects off water, sand and concrete
- Sunlight reaches below the surface of water
- Even through thick cloud cover, the UV rays come through!
- Some medications, such as antibiotics, can increase sensitivity to the sun
- Spending time in the sun can also lead to dehydration… drink lots of water!

Sources: Summer Safety brochure by FastMark, Inc.; Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet ohioline.osu.edu/hyg-fact/5000/5550.html; Cancer Prevention and Control www.cdc.gov/ChooseYourCover/qanda.htm