Use Sunscreen
Use sunscreen every day-–even on cool or cloudy days. About 70 to 80 percent of the sun’s damaging rays can penetrate through cloudy haze and water.
Sunscreens work in two ways. The chemicals in most sunscreens absorb ultraviolet radiation before it can damage the skin. Other sunscreens block ultraviolet rays by scattering or reflecting them away from the skin.
The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) refers to the sunscreen’s ability to block out the sun’s rays for a period of time. A sunscreen with an SPF of 15 will allow you to stay in the sun 15 times longer than the amount of time it normally takes for your unprotected skin to redden or burn. If your unprotected skin burns in ten minutes, a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 (that is applied correctly) will provide protection from burning for a total of 150 minutes (SPF 15 x 10 minutes). A higher SPF will provide even longer protection.
Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun to allow time for the chemicals to be absorbed into the skin. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen products that block out both UVA and UVB rays.
Choose sunscreens with the fewest unnecessary ingredients. Use waterproof sunscreens that will not be washed off through perspiration, and to be sure you’re protected, reapply sunscreen every two hours, and after swimming or sweating.
Due to the fact that no sunscreen can offer you 100% protection from the sun, it is important to remember that sunscreen should be used to protect against normal sun exposure, not to prolong your time in the sun.
Finally, recent studies suggest that insect repellents containing DEET (the active ingredient in most insect repellents) may degrade the SPF of sunscreens. If you need to use an insect repellent, consider wearing protective clothing and a hat to maximize your sun protection. If you do use both, apply the sunscreen first to allow it to bond with the skin and then apply the insect repellent over it.
To promote sunscreen use:
- Include information about your school’s sunscreen policies with other health information in registration materials.
- Add the use of sunscreen to permission slips for outdoor field trips and events. Ask parents to provide or apply sunscreen to their children for these outdoor activities.
- Encourage everyone to use sunscreen and lip balm with an SPF of 15 or greater every day, all year long, on all sun-exposed areas of the skin.
- Encourage staff to set a good example by using sunscreen and lip balm.
- Allow time during school for the application of sunscreen.
- Sell or provide sunscreen at school. Bulk sunscreen dispensers are available and can be easily accessible when students head outdoors for school activities such as physical education classes, recess, before and after school programs, and sporting events.
- Use sunscreen as a fund-raiser. Sell it at concession stands and during outdoor events.
- Solicit the help of student leaders (e.g., student council, cheerleaders) to promote the use of sunscreen among their peers.
Click here for a list of companies that sell sunscreen.
