Dignity Health | St. Rose Dominican | Reach | Summer 2019

StRoseHospitals.org  5 Kindhearted tips to show you care 1 Stock up on sunscreen. Keep it within easy reach and make it part of your routine. Look for products that: ●  ● Offer broad-spectrum protection fromUVA and UVB rays ●  ● Have a sun protective factor (SPF) of at least 30 ●  ● Are water-resistant 2 Bring it along. Become the person your family and friends know they can count on to have sunscreen handy. Be sure to kindly offer it up, too! 3 Be a thoughtful host. The sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. So plan outdoor activities or get-togethers for the earlier morning and later evening hours when the sun is less intense. Even then, keep sunscreen available and encourage everyone to use it. 4 Get a jump-start indoors. Apply sunscreen before you go outside. It takes about 15 minutes for its protection to kick in. 5 Slather it on. Be generous and cover all exposed skin. Take care not to miss spots like ears, feet, hands, and backs of knees. Some people prefer spray sunscreens. If you use a spray, make sure you apply enough and rub it in to ensure coverage. Keep sprays away from faces to avoid inhalation. 6 Protect sweet kissers, too. Make sure loved ones use a lip balm that contains sunscreen. 7 Set a timer on your phone. Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours—or immediately after swimming or sweating excessively. 8 Be water wise. Is your crew headed to the lake or going rafting on the Colorado? Water and sand make the need for sun safety even greater because they reflect the sun’s rays. 9 Kindly care for little ones. Follow the label instructions when applying sunscreen to children. Putting sunscreen on infants younger than 6 months is usually not advised. It’s best to keep babies out of the sun to protect their sensitive skin. 10 Head for the shade. Or make your own. For example, bring big umbrellas to picnics and sporting events. 11 Stay diligent on overcast days. Even when it’s cloudy, up to 80% of the sun’s harmful rays can penetrate skin, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. 12 Summer birthdays? Treat loved ones to skin- loving gifts like wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses with UV protection, or other sun-protective clothing. Or how about UV-blocking window film for car windows? 13 Be kind to your furry friends. Protect your pup’s paws by staying off hot asphalt and going for walks in the early morning or evening hours. Make sure outdoor pets have sun protection—like a tarp for shade—and plenty of fresh, cold water. And kindly remember that it’s dangerous to leave them in a parked car. 14 Check birthday suits! Regularly check your own skin for changes, such as for any new spots, patches, or sores that don’t heal. Close family members can help with skin exams as well, such as checking backs and other difficult to see areas. Let your doctor or a dermatologist know if you notice anything new or concerning. 15 Urge tanners to stay safe. Do you love someone who enjoys sunning or using tanning beds? Find ways to express your love and concern. Remind them gently of the risk of skin cancer and premature aging. Maybe they would welcome a self-tanning product to try. Sources: American Academy of Dermatology; American Cancer Society; U.S. Food and Drug Administration “Laughter is a sunbeam of the soul.” — Thomas Mann