By Alexandra Atienzo, SAMOHI Junior

June gloom is starting to disappear and summer is finally here! It’s time to hit the beaches and get those tans glowing. However the number one factor that no one should forget is protecting your skin from the sun. Neglecting it can cause damage even lead to skin cancer.  Last year in 2007, there were close to 60, 000 new cases of skin cancer and an estimated 1,000, 000 this year. 

A number one rule on protecting it is sunscreen, yes; your mother wasn’t nagging you for fun. Sunscreen is one of the best ways to protect your skin. Using one with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30 everyday and use it liberally. By the time your done applying sunscreen, you should have used enough to fill a shot glass. And reapply every two hours. No sunscreen is waterproof or sweat proof, water resistant ones only last 40 to 80 minutes in the water. For people that don’t like the greasy feel of sunscreen look for a “dry touch” label.  In all cases, be sure to wear a sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays, which take the cake when it comes to sun damage.

Other tips for preventing sun:

• Avoid the sun between 10 A.M. and 4 P.M., when the sun’s rays are at their strongest.

• Wear lighter colored, non cotton clothing which don’t absorb heat and UV rays as much hear as dark colors

• If you are taking medications read the labels carefully, if it says to avoid the sun be sure to do so as most medications react to the sun rays as the body is exposed.

• Drinking black tea helps skin sooth sunburns with its astringents and tannins.

We all make mistakes though, and sometimes stay too long in the sun or forget to reapply sunscreen, which lead to a sunburn. First step is to identify what kind of sunburn it is. 

First-degree sunburns are typical ones, they’re red or pink compared to your normal

skin color.  Your skin is often too painful to touch and result in peeling. They can be treated with Aloe Vera, or any other treatment lotion. They usually heal within a week. Take ibuprofen if the pain is too much.

Second-degree burns are often painful and look red and blotchy with blisters. To treat them apply cold compresses to the skin and do not break the blisters. Cover the burn with a gauze pad loosely and once again take ibuprofen for pain. Do not apply home remedies or ointments. If the burn is larger then 2 to 3 inches, see a doctor who can prescribe antibiotics. 

A third degree burn is the most painful and less common but if you do happen to get one, be sure to see a doctor immediately. Third degree burns can cause large blisters to form and they damage lower cell damage.

So be careful when going out in the sun, just don’t forget to have fun!