Sun Safety Guide: How to Protect Your Skin From the Sun and UV Damage
The Gist
Excessive unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause sunburns, premature aging, and certain skin cancers. Everyone, including children, should know how to prevent UV damage.
Dermatologists recommend using full-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 for maximum sun safety. Some experts, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are considering raising this to a higher minimum SPF.
If you’re wondering how to protect your skin from the sun, it’s important not just to wear sunscreen but to reapply it regularly — especially if you’re going in the water or exercising.
UV rays are especially hazardous during the spring and summer months in the northern hemisphere. This is because the sun reaches a more direct angle, and therefore UV rays are stronger (and days get warmer.)
Despite this, UV rays can still be dangerous in the winter, so remember to apply sunscreen before you hit the ski slopes.
Dermatologist appointments and skin cancer surgery can be very expensive if you don’t have comprehensive health insurance.
In This Article
In Short
Spring and summer have inspired artists, poets, songwriters, and all sorts of storytellers since the dawn of time. The sun’s rays bring warmer days and with warmer days come all sorts of fun outdoor activities — at the beach, hiking the trails, or even just hanging out in the backyard. While there are certainly health benefits that come with spending time outdoors, exposure to the sun also brings health risks — although Shakespeare didn’t see fit to write about those.
Skin cancer is on the rise in the U.S. The National Cancer Institute estimates that there will be more than 97,000 new instances of skin cancer — including nearly 8,000 related deaths — in 2023.
There are a few easy steps you can take to reduce your risk of certain skin cancers. An important sun safety tip is using sunscreen with at least SPF 15 any time you’re planning on being outdoors for more than a few minutes. This is especially essential in the spring or summer between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when UV exposure is at its highest.
The next step you can take is to visit a dermatologist regularly. Dermatologists can perform regular screenings for skin cancer and other skin diseases, treat acne and similar conditions, and sometimes can offer cosmetic services (like Botox). Most health insurance will cover medically necessary dermatological treatments, but you’ll need to check with your carrier to understand specifically what your plan covers.
If you don’t have health insurance, use Stride to compare and contrast policies and find one that’s right for you so you don’t end up paying for doctor’s visits and surgery out of pocket!
What Are UV Rays, and Why Are They Dangerous?
Although UV rays cannot be seen by humans, certain insects (like bees) and even some birds have proven to be able to perceive them. Without getting too technical, light in the UV spectrum has a very high frequency and, therefore, a very short wavelength, which is why UV radiation can be so dangerous.
The full spectrum of UV radiation includes UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C radiation, although UV-C is almost entirely absorbed by the atmosphere. UV-A and UV-B exposure each have their own separate health effects, which is why The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends making sure that your sunscreen includes “broad spectrum” protection.
UV-A radiation can pass through glass and has been associated with wrinkling and premature aging as well as contributing to the risk of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
UV-B radiation cannot pass through glass but can give you a sunburn. It has also been linked to melanoma and other skin cancers.
Should I Visit a Dermatologist?
Even if you know how to protect your skin from the sun, the human body can still be unpredictable. If you are at a high risk of certain skin cancers (for instance, if you have very pale skin or more than a few members of your family have been afflicted), it is recommended that you visit a dermatologist once a year for a regular screening.
The American Cancer Society recommends people between the ages of 20 and 40 get a full skin cancer screening at least every three years. A dermatologist can check your skin (including places you might not be able to see) for skin cancer and certain kinds of moles. They may also diagnose you with acne, psoriasis, eczema, or other medically-treatable skin conditions. Dermatologists can prescribe you medication to help treat these conditions and will also offer up specific tips on how to prevent UV damage to your skin.
Depending on the type of health insurance you have, you might need a referral from your primary care provider (PCP). Most insurance policies will partially cover what is considered medically necessary treatments, but coverage amounts could vary based on your policy. Some dermatologists offer cosmetic treatments like Botox or plastic surgery that will likely not be covered by your insurance.
What Is SPF, and How Much Do I Need?
SPF is defined by the FDA as “a measure of how much solar energy (UV radiation) is required to produce sunburn on protected skin (i.e., in the presence of sunscreen) relative to the amount of solar energy required to produce sunburn on unprotected skin.” In other words, the higher the SPF, the less likely it is you’ll get a sunburn, provided you’re reapplying as recommended.
Most official guidelines cite 15 SPF as the bare minimum skin protection for anyone who will be spending extended periods outdoors. For children and babies, who have considerably more sensitive skin, SPFs of 50 or even as high as 100 should be considered. As we mentioned earlier, even the FDA is considering raising the minimum SPF to above 15.
Overall, we recommend the mantra of “better safe than sorry” when it comes to sun safety. Check the back of the bottle to make sure your sunscreen has full-spectrum UV protection. Your carefully curated Instagram posts will be more than enough proof that you spent your vacation on the beach. And trust us: We saw the pics — you are positively glowing.
How Often Should I Apply Sunscreen?
Not to sound like a broken record here, but we’re sticking to our “better safe than sorry” advice. Sun safety might not be the most fun part of your beach day, but your future self will thank you. As always, check your specific bottle of sunscreen for details about reapplication — but just to be safe, try to re-apply your SPF 15+ sunscreen at least every 40 to 80 minutes.
Regular re-application of sunscreen can go a long way toward preventing certain skin cancers. The National Cancer Institute estimates that nearly more than 1.4 million people currently have melanoma of the skin. UV damage to the skin can happen in 15 minutes or less, depending on the intensity of the sun.
Do I Need to Apply Sunscreen Before Winter Activities?
Yes! Believe it or not, you should wear sunscreen when you’re skiing or snowboarding. Sun safety doesn’t stop just because it’s wintertime. In fact, the UV radiation can sometimes be stronger on the slopes, where the snow is reflecting the rays back up while you zoom down the hill.
Also, if you’re catching some late-season powder in March or even April, you’ll be adding springtime’s increased sun intensity to the snow’s intensifying effects. Once again, err on the side of caution and pack some SPF 15+ sunscreen for your trip.
Does Health Insurance Cover Dermatology Visits?
Yes, and unfortunately, sometimes no. Depending on your health insurance policy, you might still have to pay some out-of-pocket expenses relating to your dermatology visits. Your safest bet is to contact your insurance and the doctor you’re hoping to see before you schedule your visit. They will be able to tell you what to expect for out-of-pocket costs. Your coverage amount might also change when you hit your deductible, so remember to track your health care spending throughout the year.
Most insurances will cover, in part, medically necessary treatments. These include:
Skin cancer treatment and screenings
Treatments and medications for acne, psoriasis, eczema, and other conditions
Wart or cyst removal
Depending on your insurance, you might need a referral from your PCP — so make sure you do your homework before you schedule your appointment. Even with insurance, you could rack up big bills by not following the proper steps.
If you currently lack comprehensive health insurance, now’s a great time to enroll. Did you know that Stride can help you compare and contrast every policy available to you based on ZIP code and a few simple questions? You can even enroll directly from our site in 10 minutes or less. Avoid big headaches (and big hospital bills) by signing up today.
