Earlier this week we looked at the dangers of excessive sun exposure, and today we’ll tackle some of the best ways to protect yourself and your loved ones.
You’re probably aware that you should wear sunscreen to protect your skin in the sun, just make sure that it’s SPF 30 or higher and that it protects you from both the UVA and UVB rays (Hint: Any sunscreen that says “Broad Spectrum” works on both types of UV rays!) Be sure to re-apply your sunscreen at least every two hours, or sooner if you’ve gone swimming or sweated excessively. Dry off first to ensure an even layer!
Additionally, protective clothing is a good measure according to the Johns Hopkins Medical guidance for sun safety. No, your t-shirt does not count (They only usually offer about SPF 4.) Opt for something that specifies UV protection, or is in a tight knit fabric. Also don a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses to protect your face, neck and eyes.
Also keep in mind that the hours when the sun is strongest are 10AM through 4PM. If you can find shade around then, it’s best. If you do find yourself out and about in the heat of the day, do take the above measures. A good rule of thumb if you’re not sure whether or not the sun is at its strongest, take a look at your shadow. Johns Hopkins suggests “If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.” Remember that if you’re seeking refuge in the form of an umbrella, any sand and water around you still reflects most of the harmful UV rays, and you can still burn. The same goes for surfaces like concrete and even snow!
As we discussed earlier this week, tanning is your body’s reaction to injury from the sun. As such, you should not use tanning beds. There is a common misconception that doing so will give you a base-tan to protect you from the sun, but tanning beds themselves expose you to plenty of UV rays and can cause skin cancer as well as skin aging.
Keep these guidelines in mind year round and protect yourself anytime you’re spending significant time in the sun. Everyone needs time in the sun, not only for vitamin D absorption, but because it’s healthy and pleasurable to spend time warm outside. Just remember to protect yourself while you do so. Having fun in the sun without taking a few precautions first isn’t worth the risk of damaging your skin or getting skin cancer.
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In addition to keeping you up to date on all things clinical trials, we also act as a digital CRO with a specific focus on patient recruitment and retention. We believe that patient recruitment and study startup (especially study design and study material) are heavily intertwined. After all, study design can make or break clinical trials, and the patient-perspective should be considered when designing studies to ensure that patient targets are met not only on time, but also on budget.
For Citruslabs, patient recruitment starts with study design and ends with trial completion. We recruit patients through our network of health apps, which enables you to connect with thousands of patients in real time. The best part: these patients are already educated and prepared for the clinical trial process.
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