Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday: 9 am to 6 pm
Saturday: 9 am to noon
Closed Sundays and holidays

Please follow & like us!
Follow by Email
Facebook
Twitter
RSS Feed
Subscribe by email
Get new posts by email:
Archives

Don’t Fry Day is Coming Up! By Our Student Pharmacist, Aricca Senkow.

0BC7ACCABC5C40A78A642CDCDBA3844A

The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention designated the Friday before Memorial Day as Don’t Fry Day. This year it will fall on Friday, May 28.

Being cautious of your skin exposure should be an all year thing, but with the weather getting nicer, our amount of time in the sun is increasing!

We want to make sure you are educated to keep your skin safe this summer.

As stated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), exposure to the sun can cause sunburn, skin aging, (such as skin spots, wrinkles, or “leathery skin”), eye damage, and skin cancer, the most common of all cancers.

In 2015, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 80,422 people were diagnosed with melanoma, the most serious form of skin cancer.

Each year about 4.3 million people are treated for basal cell cancer and squamous cell skin cancer in the United States.

Sun damage occurs when there is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Sunburn is a type of skin damage caused by the sun. This damage can also happen in tanning beds, as well.

Within the UV radiation, there are two types: UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, but both UVA and UVB rays contribute to skin cancer.

1DFD4A382CA74F929B4AA9EEE4732B97

What to look for when picking out the right sunscreen for you:

  • It is important to read the label. All sunscreens protect against the sun’s UVB rays, but those that are labeled “broad spectrum” will provide protection against UVA rays as well.
  • It is recommended to use broad spectrum sunscreens with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) value of 15 or higher.
  • Some sunscreens claim to be “water resistance.” This means that they will provide about 40 to 80 minutes of the labeled SPF-level of protection while swimming or sweating. No sunscreen is completely waterproof or sweatproof.
  • Products that are labeled “sunblock” still need to be applied at least every two hours for protection.
  • Remember to check the expiration date on sunscreens before use.

Tips on how to properly apply sunscreen:

  • Apply sunscreen liberally to all uncovered skin, especially your nose, neck, hands, feet, ears, and lips (there are certain lip balms that offer SPF protection). Don’t forget those tricky areas! It is helpful if you can have someone who can help you reach those uncommon spots.
  • Reapply at least every two hours, and even more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating. Refer to the product label for specific application instructions.

Other tips to help protect your skin from sun damage:

  • Most weather apps provide the UV forecast for the day. This can let you know the UV index throughout the day so you can be properly prepared before heading out.
  • Limit your time in the sun, especially between 10 am and 2 pm, as this is when the sun’s rays (UV index) are the most intense.
  • When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants. If this isn’t practical, try to go for a dark colored t-shirt or cover-up. Also, a wet t-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one.
  • Hats are a great option. It is recommended to wear a hat with a brim that goes all the way around to protect your face, ears, and neck. With baseball caps, make sure to apply sunscreen to the ears and back of your neck as these areas are more exposed.
  • Sunglasses are also highly recommended to help protect your eyes from UV rays. Look for sunglasses labeled with UVA/UVB rating of 100% to get the most protection.

458CCB94FE8E4D88922155EE03BF5303

Sources:

Don’t Fry Day. EPA. https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety/dont-fry-day. Published August 18, 2020. Accessed May 11, 2021.

Sun Safety. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htm. Published April 28, 2021. Accessed May 11, 2021.

Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun: From Sunscreen to Sunglasses. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/tips-stay-safe-sun-sunscreen-sunglasses Accessed May 11, 2021.

Post to Twitter

Leave a Reply