LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The unofficial start of summer is just days away, and health experts are reminding residents to take precautions against sun damage as more people spend time outdoors.
In the Lima area, the sun’s strongest rays typically occur between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., and experts say it can take only minutes for a person to develop a sunburn during that time. Health officials recommend covering exposed skin to reduce the risk of damage caused by ultraviolet rays.
“So, some of that would be like wearing hats, long sleeves, sunglasses. Sunscreen is a really important tool in that we would recommend an SPF of at least 30 that follows the American Academy of Dermatology. Their recommendations, you want to make sure your sunscreen isn't expired. If it's been on your shelf for more than three years, it's probably not good anymore. So, check those dates before you put it on,” says Anna Etzler, CPN, with Lima Memorial Health System.
Experts also stress the importance of reapplying sunscreen according to the instructions listed on the bottle.
“Typically that's going to be after a certain time interval, or after doing activities such as swimming or sweating, when you're working outside or playing outside, sunscreen should not be used in infants under the age of six months, and you're going to want to make sure that you apply it even on days where it's cloudy,” adds Etzler.
Health officials say sunscreens with an SPF higher than 30 offer only minimal additional UVB protection and still must be reapplied regularly to remain effective.
