CHRISTUS St. Vincent - LiveWell

4 stvin.org After a long, dark and cold winter, almost nothing feels better than getting outside to enjoy the warm weather. However, the brightness of a spring day has a dark side: ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light can result in ill-advised tans or painful sunburns, making time in the sun dangerous and the leading cause of skin cancer. When your skin changes color in the sun, it's a visible sign of the damage UV radiation is doing to your skin cells. If you have more than fi ve sunburns during your lifetime, your risk for melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer — doubles. Here are steps you can take to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays. KEEP COOL AND COVER UP Clothing is your fi rst line of defense against UV radiation. Wearing long sleeves and long pants during the heat of spring and summer may sound less than ideal. However, long-sleeved shirts with light colors and thin fabric will keep you cool and help protect you from sun damage. Your eyes also need shielding. Forgoing sun protection for your eyes can result in corneal sunburn, cataracts and cancer on your eyelids or inside your eyes. Wear sunglasses that block the sun's UVA (long-wave, less intense) and UVB (short-wave, more intense) radiation. They should also be big enough to cover your entire eye, eyelids and surrounding areas: the more coverage, the better. Polarized lenses can also protect you from UV light refl ected off of snow or water. A wide-brimmed hat can also safeguard your eyes from UV rays. Look for a hat with at least a three-inch brim all the way around. Protect your entire head and neck, including areas that may get overlooked when applying sunscreen, such as the back of your neck and tops of your ears. Get serious about sun protection to keep your skin safe all season long — and beyond. Respect the Rays has a dark side: ultraviolet (UV) light. UV light can result in ill-advised tans or painful sunburns, making time in the sun dangerous and the leading cause of skin cancer. When your skin changes color in the sun, it's a visible sign of the damage UV radiation is doing to your skin cells. If you have more than fi ve sunburns during your lifetime, your risk for melanoma — the deadliest form of skin cancer you from sun damage. Your eyes also need shielding. Forgoing sun protection for your eyes can result in corneal sunburn, cataracts and cancer on

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