Even though summer solstice, which heralds the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, is on Sunday, June 21, for many, Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. It is the time of the year when backyard barbecues begin, people flock to the beach on their days off and more time is generally spent outdoors—leading to an increased chance of sunburn.
Telling someone to put on sunscreen is a piece of advice that can save them from weeks of suffering—and it can help prevent skin cancer. “Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States,” according to the American Cancer Society. “More skin cancers are diagnosed in the U.S. each year than all other cancers combined.” The good news is that you can protect yourself by applying sunscreen and checking if your perfectly bronze skin is turning red.
Most of the time sunburn can be prevented. It is common to see someone doze off in the sunlight or get distracted while playing beach ball. That’s why applying sunscreen before you become too distracted is always a good idea. Now, if you have a smartphone, you can even check the daily and hourly forecast for the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) radiation by using the application EPA SunWise UV Index.
Exposure to sun does have its benefits. It provides a good dose of Vitamin D, helps eliminate seasonal affective disorders and gives a nice golden tint to the skin. But, it is important to be aware that too much exposure to UV can cause sunburn, a lobster-like appearance and may lead to skin cancer. Covering your skin, staying in shaded areas and monitoring UV rays can help, but it is always a good option to have sunscreen with you.
