As if the glaring sun and 100-degree weather aren’t reminders enough—July marks UV Safety Month.

Nyack Hospital is urging residents to lather on sunblock during the heatwave, but also reminding Rocklanders to take care when the clouds are out.

“Beach days shouldn’t be the only times you think about protecting your skin,” New York-based Primary Care Physician, Dr. Marissa Ferrazzo-Weller, told Patch. “Whenever you are outside, harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can reach your skin. These rays not only can lead to skin cancer, but can also cause eye problems, age spots and wrinkles.”

Ferrazzo-Weller says the best UV defense is to avoid mid-morning and mid-afternoon sun, and to don a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses. And the lynchpin, she adds, is the sunblock.

“Before you go outside, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen on all exposed skin, Ferrazzo-Weller said. “This type of sunscreen protects against both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, and reapply it at least every two hours—more if you are sweating or going in and out of the water.”

_______

More tips from Ferrazzo-Weller and Nyack Hospital:

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, you should apply 1 ounce of sunscreen (about a shot glass full) each time. If you’re spending a full day at the beach, you should use one-quarter to one-half of an 8-ounce bottle.

Wear loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric when you are in the sun. If you don’t want to cover up that much, at least wear a t-shirt or cover-up at the beach.

If you wear a baseball cap, don’t forget to protect your ears and the back of your neck with sunscreen.

Check your sunscreen’s expiration date. If it doesn’t have one, assume it has a shelf life of no more than three years—less if it has been exposed to high temperatures.

Choose cosmetics and lip balms that contain at least SPF 15.

Moisturizers and after-shave lotions that contain sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) are generally fine for days when you will be in the sun for short periods. If you work outside or will be outside for long periods, use regular sunscreen.

Children over the age of six months should use sunscreen daily. Babies younger than six months should be covered up with protective clothing and stay in the shade when they are outside to protect their skin. Infants’ skin is very sensitive to the chemicals in sunscreen and to the sun’s rays.

(YWN Catskills Newsroom)