5 Tips to Protect Yourself from Ultraviolet Rays

• To help prevent skin cancer, consider these tips to protect yourself from ultraviolet rays. 
• Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, according to the American Academy of Dermatology Association.
• It is essential for nurses to educate patients on how to protect themselves from UV rays.  

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Current estimates show that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer sometime in their lifetime. It’s also estimated that around 9,500 people in the United States are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. In light of these statistics, it’s worth knowing that ultraviolet (UV) rays are the most common cause of skin cancers. Therefore, protection from ultraviolet rays is imperative to prevent skin cancer.

During sunny summers, dermatology nurses should emphasize protecting their patients’ eyes and skin from UV rays. Being in the sun for long hours can cause severe eye and skin injuries, including cataracts, macular degeneration, skin cancer, and sunburn. It can also cause cancerous growth in the eyes.

Inform your patients to avoid exposure to sunlight, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., as the sun emits the most hazardous ultraviolet rays with great intensity in the late spring and early summer.

Before we delve into reminders that help protect the skin from UV rays, let’s discuss how we are exposed to them in various ways.

Exposure to Ultraviolet Radiation

The most common exposure to UV rays is through sunlight. Even though a small portion of the sunlight contains UV rays, they can still harm the skin. It is estimated that 95% of sun rays that reach the Earth are UVA, and the remaining 5% are UVB rays.

The strength of UV rays also plays a crucial role in causing damage to skin cells. The strength of ultraviolet rays from the sunlight reaching the Earth depends on various factors, such as:  

• Time of the day: they are strongest between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Season: UV rays are stronger during the late spring and summer months.
• Location: Latitude is the distance from the equator. As the location goes down the equator, the UV ray exposure also decreases. The closer the person is to the equator, the more energetic the UV rays from sunlight are.
• Altitude: ground at higher elevations has more UV ray exposure.
• Clouds: UV rays can reach the ground through clouds even when the sunlight is not sharp and vibrant.
• Reflection of surfaces: UV rays reflect surfaces such as water, snow, sand, pavement, or grass, increasing exposure.
• Air contents” the ozone layer helps filter out some ultraviolet radiation.

Damage caused by ultraviolet rays depends on their strength, the duration of the exposure, and whether the skin is protected with clothing or sunscreen.

Artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation include:   

• Sunlamps and sunbeds, such as tanning beds and booths.
• Exposure to phototherapy or UV therapy for skin conditions, such as psoriasis, when the patient is given psoralen before the session makes their skin more sensitive to the action of UV light, and their skin is exposed to UVA light.
• Blacklight lamps, mainly in bug-zapping insect traps.
• Mercury vapor lamps are used to light extensive public areas or the gym.
• High-pressure xenon and xenon-mercury arc lamps, welding arcs, and plasma torches.

Reminders to Protect from Ultraviolet Rays

Dermatology nurses play an essential role in educating patients about UV ray prevention. Share the following reminders with patients to help prevent ultraviolet ray exposure:

1. Don’t Forget the Sunscreen

Wear sunscreen before leaving home in daylight, even on cloudy days. Use sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply it to all areas exposed to sunlight and ensure you reapply every two hours. If you’re going swimming, use a water-resistant sunscreen.

2. Wear Protective Clothing

Wear clothing that protects you from the sunlight when going outside in the sun. Be as covered as possible. Try wearing long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Your skin color can also play a role in protecting against UV light. The darker the complexion, the better the protection.

3. Seek Shade Under the Sun

When going out on sunny days, seek shade under a tree, umbrella, or shelter. Avoid standing for long periods under direct sunlight. Remember to wear protective clothing and sunscreen even under the shade.

4. Wear a Hat and Sunglasses

To protect yourself, wear a hat with a brim that helps shade your ears, face, and the back of the neck. It is also essential to protect your eyes from direct sunlight. Wearing sunglasses can help lower the risk of cataracts and protect the tender skin around the eyes.

5. Avoid Tanning Beds 

Tanning beds may be tempting, but they are as harmful as the sun. Sun lamps and tanning beds emit UVA and UVB radiations that harm the skin. According to the American Cancer Society, tanning beds have been linked to an increased risk of melanoma, especially if a person uses them before the age of 30.

The Bottom Line

Ultraviolet rays are the most common cause of skin cancer. As nurses, it is vital to guide your patients and inform them that sunlight and other UV ray sources, such as tanning beds, are harmful to their skin. Educate them on tips to protect themselves from sunlight and encourage them to wear sunscreen daily. 

Read More