Warm, sunny days are here. And, while most of us will remember to pack up the sunscreen before heading to the beach, we often forget it when it comes to participating in or attending outdoor sporting events. Doris Day, MD, a member of the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) and an avid athlete who regularly runs and is often a spectator at her children’s track meets, soccer and baseball games, stresses the importance of sun protection during all outdoor sports and recreational activities – whether you’re actually participating or just watching from the stands.
“Athletes are at a higher risk for developing skin cancer because of their increased exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays and the lack of sunscreen or protective clothing. And, sweating makes it harder for sunscreen to stay on the skin,” says Dr. Day.
Spectators also need to be cautious since they are exposed to the sun just as long as the players. “As a mother of athletes, I often find myself sitting in uncovered bleachers in midday when the UV rays are at their strongest, and that puts me just as much at risk of getting burned or sun damage as my kids playing in the game,” adds Dr. Day. “The sun doesn’t discriminate against who gets burned and who doesn’t. Everybody needs protection, no matter what you are doing when you are outdoors.”
Since damage from exposure to UV rays is cumulative, skin cancer may not show up for 10 to 15 years from when the actual sun damage occurred. As a result, many people do not take it seriously. To ensure proper sun protection during outdoor sporting events, Dr. Day and the ASDS offer athletes and spectators the following tips:
- Don’t be Fooled by the Weather – If it’s sunny or cloudy, hot or cool, you will still be exposed to the sun’s damaging UV rays. Water, sand, concrete and snow can reflect and increase the sun’s burning rays. Try to schedule or attend events that are early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid peak hours when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
- Protect, Protect, Protect – Because it takes time for the skin to absorb sunscreen, lotion/gel or spray should be applied at least 30 minutes before an event and again reapplied every two to three hours. Because athletes tend to sweat a lot, they may need to reapply sunscreen more often as perspiration decreases its effectiveness.
- Choose a Proper Sunscreen – Look for sunscreens that block both ultraviolet A (UVA)
and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays and that have a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
Sport sunscreens or waterproof/water-resistant sunscreens have a tendency to last longer than regular sunscreens. Sun tan lotions and creams tend to have a higher SPF than gel or alcohol-based sunscreens which need to be reapplied more often.
- Cover Everything – Apply sunscreen to every area of the body that may be exposed to the sun, including the top of the head, ears (front and back), face, lips, neck, hands, arms and legs. For more protection, wear sun protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses.
- Bring Your Own Shade – Bring an umbrella or portable tent to events that do not have covered bleachers. Seek shade, trees, awnings and buildings wherever possible.
If you are interested in speaking with Dr. Day about the facts and risks of skin cancer and a patient who has overcome skin cancer, or would like more information about the ASDS, please contact Charity Proto at (203) 325-8772 x24 or via e-mail at cproto@environics-usa.com.