A HEALTHY YOU
Protecting Your Skin Year-Round
July marks UV Safety Month, a time to raise awareness about the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation – the leading cause of most skin cancers.
According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. While the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) emphasizes sun safety during this month, it’s important to remember that UV protection is essential year-round. UV rays can reach you even on cloudy or cool days and reflect off surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow. In the U.S., UV rays are typically strongest between 10 am and 4 pm during daylight saving time.
Enjoying the sunshine can be beneficial – it’s a natural source of Vitamin D – but prolonged or unprotected exposure can cause serious skin damage. The AAD recommends the following practices to stay safe in the sun:
- Seek shade, especially during peak sun hours
- Wear sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats, and UV-blocking sunglasses
- Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
- Obtain Vitamin D through food or supplements rather than direct sun exposure
Sun Safety is More Than Skin Deep
Protecting your skin is one of the most important steps you can take for your overall health. Over time, sun exposure can lead to wrinkles, age spots, and other skin damage – and it significantly increases your risk of skin cancer. UVA and UVB rays both contribute to skin aging and cancer, and they can reach your skin even on overcast days or indoors (as some UV rays can penetrate glass).
Regular dermatological checkups are essential – schedule an annual skin exam to monitor for any unusual growths or skin changes. Your eyes also need protection: sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays help reduce your risk of cataracts and protect the delicate skin around your eyes. UV exposure can even sunburn the cornea, the clear outer layer of your eye. Never look directly at the sun, even through glass or on cloudy days, as it can severely damage your retina.
Learn More
Learn more about skin health, common myths about sun exposure, and tips for staying safe.
About the Author
Cynthia Conigliaro is the Sales and Marketing Director for Organizational Wellness and Learning Systems (OWLS), a consulting firm focused on employee emotional wellbeing and organizational culture analysis. For almost five years she has worked alongside the owner of OWLS to design and implement mental health related employee wellness trainings and workshops for organizations across the United States.
For almost 15 years she has had her own health and wellness coaching business. Cynthia works with individuals and groups and runs virtual and in person workshops for employees on a variety of health and wellness topics relating to both physical and mental health. She is an Infinite Possibilities Certified Trainer and a Resilience and Life Coach. She has been a volunteer with the Worksite Wellness Council of Massachusetts (WWCMA) for the past 4 years where she sits on both the Programs Committee and the Marketing Committee. Cynthia has her Master of Social Work and her Master of Business Administration from Boston College and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Spanish from College of the Holy Cross.