Sunscreen and Sunglasses

Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun: From Sunscreen to Sunglasses

Exposure to the sun can cause skin cancer, the most common of all cancers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates there were more than 71,943 people diagnosed with melanoma of the skin, the most serious form of skin cancer, in 2013 alone. About 4.3 million people are treated for basal cell cancer and squamous cell skin cancer in the United States every year, according to a 2014 report from the Office of the Surgeon General.

Sun damage to the body is caused by invisible ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Although UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, both UVA and UVB rays contribute to skin cancer. And although all sunscreens protect against the sun’s UVB rays, only those that are broad spectrum also protect against UVA rays.

Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. People of all skin colors are at risk for this damage. You can reduce your risk by:

Limiting your time in the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.
Wearing clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun—such as long-sleeve shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brim hats. Sun-protective clothing is now available.
Using broad spectrum sunscreens with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) value of 15 or higher regularly and as directed. The SPF value indicates the level of sunburn protection provided by the sunscreen product. SPF is directly related to amount of solar exposure, not to time of solar exposure. Broad spectrum sunscreens offer protection against both UVA and UVB rays, two types of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, and more often if you're sweating or jumping in and out of the water.

Certain sunglasses can help protect your eyes. Sunlight reflecting off snow, sand, or water further increases exposure to UV radiation and increases your risk of developing eye problems. When using sunglasses:

Choose sunglasses labeled with a UVA/UVB rating of 100% to get the most UV protection.
Do not mistake dark-tinted sunglasses as having more UV protection. The darkness of the lens does not indicate its ability to shield your eyes from UV rays. Many sunglasses with light-colored tints, such as green, amber, red, and gray can offer the same UV protection as very dark lenses.
Children should wear sunglasses that indicate the UV protection level. Toy sunglasses may not have UV protection, so be sure to look for the UV protection label.
Consider large, wraparound-style frames, which may provide more efficient UV protection because they cover the entire eye-socket. This is especially important when doing activities around or on water because much of the UV comes from light reflected off the water’s surface.
Understand that pricier sunglasses don’t ensure greater UV protection.
Wear sunglasses even if you wear contact lenses that offer UV protection.
Know that sunglasses are the most effective when worn with a wide-brim hat and sunscreen.

California Education Code 35183.5.

(a) (1) Each schoolsite shall allow for outdoor use during the schoolday, articles of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats.

(2) Each schoolsite may set a policy related to the type of sun-protective clothing, including, but not limited to, hats, that pupils will be allowed to use outdoors pursuant to paragraph (1). Specific clothing and hats determined by the school district or schoolsite to be gang-related or inappropriate apparel may be prohibited by the dress code policy.

(b) (1) Each schoolsite shall allow pupils the use of sunscreen during the schoolday without a physician s note or prescription.

(2) Each schoolsite may set a policy related to the use of sunscreen by pupils during the schoolday.

(3) For purposes of this subdivision, sunscreen is not an over-the-counter medication.

(4) Nothing in this subdivision requires school personnel to assist pupils in applying sunscreen.