Sunday, January 17, 2010

Sun Protection Basics

By Byron Jonas

One of the most important preventative health measures that we can practice is protecting ourselves from the sun. This is highly important especially for those of us who enjoy participating in outdoor activities and for families with children involved in school sports. Teaching your children how to enjoy the sun safely is one of the most important lessons a parent can give.

A little bit of prevention can go a long way when it comes to protecting ourselves and our kids from the potentially damaging effects of the sun's rays. Although it may not be the first things on our kids' minds as they run out to the playing fields this summer, it is an important duty of every parent to ensure that their children are aware of the risks that come with exposure to the sun as well as what can be done to prevent long-term damaging effects.

Summer sun can be quite enticing; it's during this time of year when everyone just can't wait to get outside and enjoy the great weather. Whatever your favorite sport or outdoor activity, a sunny day always seems to be the perfect day to get out in the fresh air. Before sending your kids out to play this summer, take the time to make sure they do so safely.

Although we might just think about how good the sun feels or what a great mood it puts us in, unfortunately we also need to think about the harmful side effects too much sun can bring about. The most instant effect of over-exposure is the all-too-common sunburn. Although mild cases are usually no more than painful inconveniences, deep sunburns can require a hospital stay and cause severe skin damage.

The long-term effects of too much sun develop over time and include unsightly wrinkles and prematurely aging skin, nothing desirable nor pleasant for anyone. We all want to hold on to our youth as long as possible, and educating our young ones about how to begin prevention from sun damaged skin at an early age is a first step in the right direction.

Skin cancer is yet another much more serious long-term effect of too much sun. Although in the past, it may have been seen a sign of beauty to have perfectly tanned skin, we now know better. The risks of over-exposure from the sun are far too great to sacrifice our skin's health just to have a golden glow. It is our responsibility to protect ourselves and our kids from the sun's rays all year round and even more so during the summer months and school sports seasons.

Many people mistakenly think that the only time to worry about sun protection is during the summer months or on extremely sunny days. Surprisingly, sunburns can even occur when it does not appear to be overly sunny outside. Just another reason why you can never be too careful when it comes to sun protection.

It is much better to play it safe when protecting ourselves and our families from the sun. Experts advise using sun protection techniques anytime you are outside, which is a good rule to follow. It is also a good idea to use a daily moisturizer that has a SPF; this will protect your face every day from the damage-causing UV rays of the sun.

Sharing these tips and facts about the sun with your family is important as the summer and school sports seasons roll around. With just a bit of prevention and common sense, you can protect your kids and give them the freedom to enjoy the sun safely.

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