
Your Annual Checkup Checklist
There are a variety of other topics you should consider discussing with your primary care physician.
Learn More >Today’s rain brought an end to a 39-day dry streak in Seattle. This uncharacteristically sunny weather, and the fact that it is UV Awareness Month, provides a good time to remind us of what our parents, doctors and dermatologists nag us to do—cover up, put on sunglasses and wear sunscreen.
Almost all of us (myself included) are guilty of not consistently protecting our skin. We expose ourselves to harmful UV rays, ignoring the consequences. In a country where a tan is considered beautiful, and in a city where we feel required to soak up every last drop of those sweet UV rays, covering up is a hard commitment to make. As someone who both burns easily and enjoys spending time outside, here are some things I’ve learned over the years.
Sunblock can be expensive, but it’s worth the investment. Higher quality sunscreens offer better protection, have a lower “grease” factor and can be easier to apply. Here are some things to look for:
Sunglasses are essential if you want to avoid damaging your eyes from conditions like cataracts, cancer and even corneal sunburns (sunburn to the surface of the eye). Eye doctors recommend a pair that have 99-100 percent UVA/UVB protection (the tint doesn’t matter). Not all glasses are created equal, so buy a reputable brand, as some knock offs that advertise 100 percent only actually provide 40 percent protection.
Not a fan of glasses? You can buy contact lenses with UV protection. Be sure to talk to your doctor about options for optimal eye care.
Overcast skies? You can still get a sunburn. Just because you can’t see the sun, doesn’t mean it can’t see you. Make sure to apply sunscreen even on cloudy days, as up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays still pass through. The clothes you wear can also protect your skin from the sun’s rays. If you hold up fabric to the light and it’s see through, it has less SPF than clothes with denser fabric. In the winter, the snow can reflect up to 80 percent of these rays. In a similar vein, remember to reapply sunscreen every three to four hours. That may seem like a lot, but it’s necessary to prevent sunburn and skin damage.
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends the following for a sunburn:
Finally, try to remember how bad your sunburn felt so you’ll avoid it in the future. Which is sometimes easier said than done!
Now get back out there and have fun…just don’t forget the sunscreen!