July is UV Safety Awareness Month.
Stars — they’re just like us!
Take the sun, for example. The fiery ball in the sky is 4.6 billion years old — that’s middle age in star years.
And the sun is responsible for keeping all the plants, comets and asteroids from spinning out of control. Sound familiar?
While we tip our wide-brimmed hats to the sun for all it does for us, it’s also important to be aware of its harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.
Studies show UV rays cause 9 out of 10 cases of melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer — and rates of melanoma are on the rise for women 50 and older.
UVA vs UVB rays
UV rays are natural energy produced by the sun. You can’t see them, but your skin feels them.
There are two main types of UV rays:
- UVA — long wavelengths that penetrate deep into the skin causing early aging and wrinkles
- UVB — shorter wavelengths that are mainly responsible for sunburns
Both types of UV rays damage skin, and both can cause skin cancer.
Thankfully, there are many different products that can help protect you head to toe from UV rays.
Check out these products for UV protection
Sunglasses
iStock.com/krblokhin
Sunglasses are a real face-saver when you’ve been up all night (thanks, vasomotor symptoms of menopause!) or got sucked into a marathon of This Is Us.
Sunglasses also help protect your eyes from UV exposure that can cause cataracts, eyelid cancer and sunburned eyes. And yes, sunburned eyes are as terrible as they sound.
The good news is most sunglasses sold in the U.S. are designed to block UVA and UVB rays. When in doubt, look for a label that says 100% protection against UVA and UVB or UV absorption up to 400nm.
When it comes to style, the more coverage the better. Wrap-around sunglasses go the extra mile by blocking UV rays from the side.
You might consider: Fifth and Ninth Racer 72mm Polarized Wraparound Sunglasses, Sunski Strada, Quay Press Tour
Ultraviolet protection factor clothing
iStock.com/ansazan
One simple way to make sure your body is protected against UV rays: Wear clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 50 or higher. A UPF 50 means the fabric is designed to block 98% of UV rays. And since the sun protection is built into the clothing, you never have to worry about reapplying.
You might consider: REI Sahara Shade Hoodie, Beneunder Cooling Sun Protection Jacket, Coolibar Hydra Tie Pants
Footwear
iStock.com/Lisa-Blue
While we all love a fun summer sandal, flip flops are the thong of shoes — they provide zero coverage and leave your feet exposed to UV rays.
Whenever you’re out strutting in the sun, don’t forget to apply broad-spectrum sunscreen to exposed skin including the tops of your feet and your toes.
For added protection, UPF shoes and socks can help keep your feet footloose and skin-cancer free.
You might consider: Black Girl Sunscreen Sun Shield Water Shoes, Ker Sun UV Socks, Tilos Low Cut Sport Skin Socks
From Your Site Articles
Related Articles Around the Web
