Summer brings longer days, outdoor activities, vacations, ballgames, gardening and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the sunshine. Spending time outdoors can be great for your physical and mental health, but it is important to protect your skin while you are outside.
Ultraviolet, or UV, rays from the sun can damage skin cells over time. This damage can lead to sunburn, premature skin aging and an increased risk of skin cancer. UV exposure can affect anyone, regardless of age or skin tone, making sun protection an important part of every family’s healthcare routine.
The good news is that a few simple habits can help you and your family enjoy the outdoors while protecting your skin.
Make Sun Protection Part of Your Daily Routine
Sun safety is not limited to days spent at the pool or beach. UV rays can reach your skin while you are mowing the lawn, attending an outdoor event, driving, working outside or simply taking a walk. They can also reach you on cloudy and cooler days.
Try these sun-safety steps whenever you plan to spend time outdoors:
Choose the Right Sunscreen
Use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. “Broad spectrum” means the sunscreen helps protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.
Apply sunscreen generously to all exposed skin, including areas that are easy to overlook, such as:
- Your ears
- The back of your neck
- The tops of your feet
- Your hands
- Your scalp or hairline
- Your lips
Apply sunscreen before going outside and reapply it approximately every two hours. You should apply it more frequently after swimming, sweating or drying off with a towel. Sunscreen works best when it is combined with other forms of sun protection rather than used by itself.
Look for Shade
Whenever possible, take breaks under a tree, umbrella, porch or other covered area. UV rays are generally strongest during the middle portion of the day, so consider scheduling longer outdoor activities for the morning or later afternoon.
Remember that surfaces such as water, sand and pavement can reflect UV rays. You may still need sunscreen and protective clothing even when you are sitting beneath partial shade.
Wear Protective Clothing
Clothing provides an additional barrier between your skin and the sun. Consider wearing:
- Lightweight, long-sleeved shirts
- Long pants when practical
- A wide-brimmed hat that protects your face, ears and neck
- Sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays
- Clothing labeled with an ultraviolet protection factor, or UPF
Baseball caps can help shade your face, but they often leave the ears and neck exposed. Be sure to apply sunscreen to those areas.
Protect Children from the Sun
Children often spend long periods outside during sports, recess, vacations and summer activities. Helping children develop sun-safe habits early can encourage them to continue protecting their skin throughout their lives.
Keep babies younger than six months in the shade whenever possible and use lightweight protective clothing. Parents and caregivers should speak with their child’s healthcare provider about the safest sun-protection options for infants.
For older children, apply sunscreen before outdoor activities and make sure it is reapplied throughout the day, especially after swimming or heavy activity.
Avoid Indoor Tanning
Tanning beds and sunlamps expose the skin to concentrated UV radiation. A tan is a sign that the skin has been injured, not a sign of good health or protection from future sunburns. Avoiding indoor tanning is an important step in reducing unnecessary UV exposure.
Pay Attention to Changes in Your Skin
Sun protection is important, but it is also helpful to become familiar with your skin. Knowing what your moles, freckles and other spots normally look like can make it easier to notice a change.
Contact a healthcare provider if you notice:
- A new or unusual growth
- A mole that changes in size, shape or color
- A spot with an irregular border or multiple colors
- A sore that does not heal
- A growth that repeatedly bleeds, crusts or becomes irritated
- A spot that looks noticeably different from the others on your body
- Persistent itching, pain or tenderness in one area
Not every unusual spot is cancerous, but changes should be evaluated by a qualified medical provider. Early evaluation can help determine whether a spot needs to be monitored, treated or biopsied.
Dermatology Care Close to Home
PrimaryPlus understands that patients in rural communities may have difficulty finding specialty care without traveling outside the region. That is why we continue working to make dermatology services more accessible and affordable for the communities we serve.
Our dermatology team can evaluate and treat a variety of skin, hair and nail concerns. Services may include:
- Full skin exams
- Acne treatment
- Eczema care
- Psoriasis treatment
- Rosacea management
- Biologic therapy for qualifying skin conditions
- Evaluation and treatment of rashes and skin infections
- Hair loss and scalp condition evaluations
- Nail disorders and infections
- Evaluation of changing or suspicious moles
- Evaluation of unusual skin growths
- Care for sun-damaged skin
- Skin cancer concerns and screenings
- Cryotherapy for warts and pre-cancerous lesions
- Cyst removal, depending on type and location
- Skin tag removal
- In-house treatment options for specific types of skin cancer
Depending on the patient’s condition, care may include a full skin examination, biopsy, medication, lifestyle recommendations, cryotherapy, removal of certain skin growths or a personalized treatment plan.
PrimaryPlus Dermatology Locations
PrimaryPlus–Medical Specialties in Maysville
Dermatology services are available at PrimaryPlus–Medical Specialties, located at:
1 West McDonald Parkway
Maysville, KY 41056
The dermatology team includes Steven Sutter, MD, and Heather Wells, APRN.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 606-956-0190.
PrimaryPlus–Grayson
Dermatology services are also available at:
645 Interstate Drive
Grayson, KY 41143
Savannah Oliver, APRN, provides dermatology care in addition to family and women’s health services.
To learn more or schedule an appointment, call 606-474-0669.
Customized Dermatology Treatments Through Our Compounding Pharmacy
Every patient’s skin is different, and standard medications may not always meet an individual patient’s needs. PrimaryPlus’ Compounding Pharmacy in Grayson can prepare customized formulations prescribed by a healthcare provider.
Compounding options may be available for concerns such as:
- Acne and rosacea
- Scarring
- Hyperpigmentation
- Hair loss
- Other specialized skin-care needs
The PrimaryPlus Compounding Pharmacy is located at 645 Interstate Drive in Grayson. For additional information, call 606-898-0209.
Keep Your Skin Healthy in Every Season
Sun safety is especially important during the summer, but protecting your skin should be a year-round habit. UV rays can affect your skin during every season, even on cool or cloudy days.
Wear protective clothing, seek shade, apply sunscreen and regularly pay attention to changes in your skin. When you have questions or concerns, the PrimaryPlus dermatology team is here to provide knowledgeable, compassionate care close to home.
Do not ignore a spot that is changing, uncomfortable or simply does not look right. Schedule an appointment with PrimaryPlus and take a proactive step toward healthier skin.
Quality. Advanced. Affordable Healthcare. That’s PrimaryPlus.
This article is intended for general educational purposes and should not replace personalized medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Speak with a qualified healthcare provider about any skin condition or concerning change.