Many people are sunburning at the lake, river, rodeos, or other summer sports events. Some people think the darker the better, but use common sense when you are in the sun. Read the following guidelines! The many hours spent in the midday sun cheering for a favorite athlete or team puts fans at risk for skin cancer, a potentially life-threatening condition that affects 1 in 5 Americans. Dermatologists say sports fans can still enjoy watching an outdoor sport. Just a few serious sunburns can increase your risk of skin cancer later in life. Just be sure to protect your skin from the sun by following the Be Sun SmartSM guidelines:
- Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 that provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating. Look for the AAD SEAL OF RECOGNITIONª on products that meet these criteria.
- Wear protective clothing, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.
- Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun's rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chance of sunburn.