The American Academy of Dermatology recently surveyed more than 1,000 adults in the U.S. that showed that 90% reported they protect themselves from the sun when going to beaches and pools, but less than half that amount use sun protection for other outdoor activities.
According to a release on May 23, the AAD is encouraging people to “#PracticeSafeSun” to minimize the risks of skin cancer, which is a campaign coinciding with Skin Cancer Awareness Month. The survey revealed that 40% of American adults don’t plan to use sun protection for barbecues and picnics. It also showed that 31% don’t use sun protection for walks or hiking.
“The head, neck, arms and lower legs are areas of the body that get a lot of day-to-day exposure to the sun," board-certified dermatologist Anisha Patel, MD, FAAD and associate professor at University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, said in the release. "That continued exposure, even without an apparent sunburn, can lead to skin cancer if people do not properly protect themselves.”
The release chronicled Andy Jacobs, who got melanoma when he was 10 years old, and then found another spot on his ear five years later. He admitted he only occasionally used sunscreen as a child.
Sun protection can be extremely simple, according to the AAD and Dr. Patel. There are recommended ways to protect oneself from the sun, which include finding shade when the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. It is also recommended to wear sun protective clothing like a lightweight long-sleeve shirt, as well as pants, a hat and sunglasses. There are also types of clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on their labels.
Another recommendation is to apply sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to any skin not covered by clothing. It is also suggested to reapply every two hours, or after swimming or even sweating.
