Sun Safety This Summer

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin in as little as fifteen minutes, so it’s very important to protect your skin as soon as you go outside on a sunny day.

HumanaCare, our Employee Assistance Program provider, offers counselling services, guidance and tips, and has put together recommendations to help protect yourself and your family this summer.

Your best bet to protect your skin is to wear protective clothing, wear sunglasses and wear sunscreen when you’re outside, even when you’re in the shade:

Clothing:

• Long-sleeved shirts and long pants/skirts can provide protection from UV rays.
• Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection.
• Darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors.

Sunglasses:

• Sunglasses protect your eyes protect the tender skin around your eyes from sun exposure.
• Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection.
• Wrap-around sunglasses work best because they block UV rays from sneaking in from the side.

Sunscreen:

• Put on sunscreen with at least SPF 15 before you go outside, even on cloudy or cool days.
• Don’t forget to put a thick layer on all parts of exposed skin.
• Sunscreen works best when combined with other options to prevent UV damage.