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What's
Your Sun-Safety IQ? |
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Answer each
question and then check your IQ below |
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1.
I can’t get skin cancer, because my routine (work, drive to work,
indoor hobbies, and vacations) doesn’t include any outdoor activities.
True
False
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2.
My husband should use sunscreen at football games, even though he only
goes (and gets a burn!) once or twice a year.
True
False
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3.
If I’m wearing sunscreen, I can stay in the sun as long as I want.
True
False |
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4.
A sunscreen labeled SPF 30 blocks twice as much UV radiation as
one labeled SPF 15.
True
False |
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5.
It’s safe to let my children stay in the pool all day if they slip on
a T-shirt after a couple hours and reapply sunscreen to their faces, arms and
legs.
True
False |
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6.
How often do you need to reapply water-resistant sunscreen?
Every 2 hrs.
, After sweating or swimming, All
of the above |
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7.
Getting a “base tan” at an indoor tanning salon is as good way to
prevent
sunburn when I go to the beach later
this summer.
True
False |
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8.
What are the two most common (and painful!) sunscreen mistakes?
Choosing an SPF below 15 & missing spots
Using too little and waiting too long to
reapply
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9.
Now put it all together. You applied sunscreen at 12:00 noon for an
afternoon of reading
beside the pool. At 2:00 p.m., which one of the following
actions would best protect your skin?
Slip on a long cotton sundress
Move to the shade
Reapply sunscreen |
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(answers below)
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1.
False:
Dermatologist say brief sun exposures
all year around can add up to significant damage for people with fair skin. And
the sun’s ultraviolet rays do pass through car windows, so driving during peak
sun hours 10:00 a.m. to 4 P.m., to lunch or on weekends, bathes your
hands and arms in damaging UV rays. Such cumulative everyday exposures are
linked to squamous cell cancer. Although not as dangerous as melanoma, squamous
cell cancer is still believed to be
the cause of up to 20% of skin cancer deaths.
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2.
True
Many
people think it’s OK to get a sunburn now and then, but studies
show that occasional exposure to strong sunlight seems to increase the
risk of the most serious type of skin cancer, melanoma.
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3.
False
It’s not smart to broil in the sun
for several hours, even if you are wearing sunscreen. These products don’t
provide total protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays. The American Cancer Society
recommends that people seek shade and limit time in the sun at midday. Also cover
up with a shirt, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and use a sunscreen
rated SPF 15 or higher. And don't forget sunglasses for eye protection.
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4.
False
The
Sun Protection Factor (SPF) describes how long a product will
protect your skin, if you apply the sunscreen correctly.
Fair-skinned people begin to burn in about 15 minutes on a sunny day, so
wearing an SPF 15 sunscreen (if applied and re
applied properly) would
prevent sunburn for about 225 minutes (15 x 15 = 225), or 3 hours and 45
minutes. The SPF 30 sunscreen should last for 450 minutes, or 4 hours and
45 minutes. In practical use,
you’ll need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours. Be sure to choose a broad
spectrum product that blocks UVB and
UVA light.
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5.
False
UV rays easily penetrate a white
cotton T-shirt, particularly if it’s wet. Your
children will get only about as much protection as an SPF 4
sunscreen—certainly not enough for all day and well below the mini
mum of SPF 15 recommended by the ACS. Better clothing choices
include dark colors, fabrics with tight weaves and specially
treated garments
and bathing suits. Another good choice is moving into the
shade. Sun-protective clothing is often found at sporting goods stores.
For babies younger than 6 months, shade, sun-protective clothing,
and hats are best. As a last resort, pediatricians now say that very small
amounts of sunscreen can be used on small areas, such as the face and back of
the hands.
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6.
All of the above
For best
results, most sunscreens need to be reapplied about every 2 hours or sooner, but
be sure to check the label. Sunscreens labeled
“water resistant” are made to protect you when swimming or sweating,
but may only last for 40 minutes. Also remember that sunscreen usually rubs off
when you towel dry.
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7.
False
Our experts say a “base tan”
gives you very little protection against
sunburn. And that goes for indoor tans, too, which provide a sun
protective factor of 4, much less than most sunscreens. So in practice, a base
tan may increase the chance you’ll get a burn, because
you’re likely to stay out longer without properly protecting your skin.
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8.
Using too little and waiting too long to reapply
A study of Texas beachgoers found
most people who used sunscreen came
home with a sunburn anyway, thanks to those two mistakes. Adults need an ounce
of sunscreen to cover their arms, legs, face, hands, neck, and ears. Spreading
it too thin cuts the protection in half, according to Mary O’Connell, a health
educator for the American Cancer Society. Sunscreen
should be reapplied every 2 hours or sooner.
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9.
Move to the shade
While all three actions help, getting
out of the mid-day sun is the best choice in this situation. Seeking shade is
a key element in preventing skin cancer, especially between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m. The sundress blocks very little UV radiation because it’s made of cotton.
It compares to a sunscreen rated SPF 4. Covering up is the
right idea, but dark colors, tight weaves and clothing labeled at
least UPF 30 work better.
Sunscreen should not be used to extend your time in intense sunlight. It’s an important part of a larger strategy that
the American Cancer Society recommends to protect your skin, but it
does not provide total protection. To
get the most from sunscreen, choose
products of SPF 15 or higher that block both UVA and UVB rays, reapply at least every 2 hours, and use at least 1 ounce
for an adult.
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