We all need some sun exposure; it’s our primary source of vitamin D, which helps us absorb calcium for stronger, healthier bones. But it doesn’t take much time in the sun for most people to get the vitamin D they need and unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause us serious damage to our body. Even young people can get sick. Most children spend between 50 and 80 per cent of their lifetime exposed to the sun before the age of 18, so it’s important that we protect ourselves from the sun.
Facts about sun exposure
The sun radiates light to the earth, and part of that light consists of invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. When these rays reach the skin, they cause tanning, burning and other skin damage. Sunlight contains three types of ultraviolet rays: UVA, UVB and UVC.
UVA rays cause skin aging and wrinkling and contribute to skin cancer, such as melanoma. Because UVA rays pass effortlessly through the ozone layer (the protective layer of atmosphere, or shield, surrounding the earth), they make up the majority of our sun exposure.
UVB rays are also dangerous, causing sunburns, damage to the eyes and the immune system. They also contribute towards skin cancer. Most UVB rays are absorbed by the ozone layer, but enough of these rays pass through to cause serious damage.
UVC rays are the most dangerous, but fortunately, these rays are blocked by the ozone layer and don’t reach the earth.
What’s important is to protect ourselves from exposure to UVA and UVB, the rays that cause skin damage.
Avoid the strongest rays of the day
First, avoid being in the sun for prolonged times when the sun is highest overhead and therefore the strongest, normally from 10am until 4pm. If you are in the sun between these hours, be sure to apply protective sunscreen – even if you are just playing in the backyard. Most sun damage occurs as a result of incidental exposure during day-to-day activities, not at the beach.
Even on cloudy or cool days, UV rays travel through the clouds and reflect off sand, water, and even concrete.
Clouds and pollution don’t filter out UV rays, and they can give a false sense of protection.
This “invisible sun” can cause unexpected sunburn and skin damage.
Often, kids are unaware that they are developing a sunburn on cooler or windy days because the temperature or breeze keeps skin feeling cool on the surface.
Cover up
One of the best ways to protect yourself from the sun is to cover up and shield skin from UV rays. Ensure that clothes will screen out harmful UV rays by placing your hand inside the garments and making sure you can’t see your hand through them. If you must be in the sun, clothing should cover your body and you should also wear a hat with a wide brim to shadow your face. Use a sun umbrella to create shade at the beach.
Use sunscreen consistently
There are a lot of good sunscreens available. The SPF number tells you how much longer you can stay in the sun without burning if you apply the sunscreen, which acts as a “block” to the sun’s rays (hence the term “sunblock”). For example, applying a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 gives you 15 times the
protection.
http://www.kidshealth.org/sun_safety.html