HPU Pharmacy Professor Shares Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun

HIGH POINT, N.C., June 13, 2022 – Summer is just around the corner, and with that comes summer vacations to the beach, outdoor activities, pool days, cookouts and more! It also means you need to keep an eye on your skin health. Staying safe in the sun.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, an estimated 7,650 deaths will be attributed to melanoma in 2022. Invasive melanoma is projected to be the fifth most diagnosed cancer for both men and women in 2022. With the prevalence of skin cancer, understanding how to prevent it is important at any age.

Dr. Joy Greene, associate dean and professor in High Point University’s Fred Wilson School of School of Pharmacy, is available for interviews about preparing for fun in the sun. Below she offers advice and methods of staying protected during warm summer months:  

Preventative Measures:  
Most people rely on staying out of the sun and applying sunscreen. These are good steps to take in preventing skin cancer, but it is important to fully understand how to protect your skin. Since most skin cancers come from exposure to UV radiation, it is important to remember that UV radiation occurs at all times of the year, not just during the spring or summer months. It is also important to be aware that UV radiation affects your skin not only during sunny days, but also during cloudy days.   

The most dangerous part of the day for UV radiation exposure is between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so it is important to avoid spending extended amounts of time outdoors during these times. Below are some helpful skin care tips provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):

- Seek shade, especially during midday hours
- Wear clothing to protect exposed skin.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck.
- Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA rays (which age you, hence the “a”) and UVB rays (which burn you, hence the “b”) as possible
- Use sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
- Do not forget to apply sunscreen to your lips, ears, neck and exposed scalp.
- Avoid indoor tanning.  

Tips About Sunscreen:  

An important thing to remember is that sunscreen does wear off, so you should reapply sunscreen when staying out in the sun for more than two hours at a time, swimming or participating in an activity that causes you to sweat. Always remember to pick a sunscreen with SPF of 15 or greater and remember to check the expiration date of your sunscreen.  

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates sunscreens. Before an ingredient can be added in a sunscreen product, the ingredient must first be approved by the FDA for this use. Chemicals such as retinal palmitate and oxybenzone have not been shown to cause risks to humans.