Download Ready Set Go! How to Avoid Sunburn

READY • SET • GO! NO BURNS
READY:
WHAT DO YOU REALLY NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SUNBURNS?
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Getting a sunburn is your skin’s reaction to ultraviolet radiation (UVA and
UVB).
All sunburns cause lasting skin damage and can lead to skin cancer.
Sunburns are painful, annoying, and contribute to wrinkles and premature
aging!
Just two severe sunburns before age 18 may double the risk of developing
melanoma (the deadliest form of skin cancer) later in life.
You should wear sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or
greater all year round. (The American Academy of Dermatology
recommends it!)
Most people get a sunburn when they are doing day-to-day activities like
talking a walk, reading a book outside, or sitting in the park.
You can get a sunburn even on a cloudy day – as much as 70% of the
sun’s ultraviolet radiation passes through the clouds.
SET:
HOW DO YOU AVOID GETTING A SUNBURN AND WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU HAVE ONE?
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The sun’s peak hours (when the sun is at its strongest) are between 10am
and 4pm. Remember to seek shade and limit your time in the sun during
these hours.
Protective clothing is key. Wearing a lightweight, long sleeve shirt, pants,
sunglasses, and a hat are all ways to keep your skin cool and burn-free.
Sunscreen is a must! Remembering to put on sunscreen everyday is
important for preventing burns. Also, remember that you need to reapply
sunscreen, especially if you go swimming or are sweating.
When purchasing a sunscreen, keep in mind that you want one that is
broad spectrum (protects from both UVA and UVB), waterproof or sweatproof, and has an SPF of 15 or more. Also, remember to put sunscreen on
easy-to-forget but easy-to-burn places like your nose, ears, neck, feet,
and hands.
OK, so you have a sunburn. It’s going to be your last one, right? So how do you
treat it? Well, here are a few things the people at Sun Smart (the skin cancer
control program of the Anti-Cancer Council of Victoria, Australia) recommend:
 Apply a cool, saline-soaked compress to ease the pain.
 Drink a lot of water to replenish your fluid levels. Dehydration can occur
from too much exposure and can be very dangerous.
 Moisturize your skin when it feels comfortable enough to do so. It won’t
help prevent the peeling, but will help keep the new skin below from
drying out.
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If your sunburn is very severe and you are experiencing blistering,
headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness or severe pain, seek medical
attention immediately.
GO!
AVOID PAINFUL SUNBURNS:
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Cover up with protective clothing
Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater on all exposed skin
Wear a hat and sunglasses
Seek shade or choose indoor activities during peak hours on hot, sunny
days
Enjoy the outdoors, the great weather and time with your family and
friends while practicing sun safety!