Ultraviolet (UV) radiation comes from the sun, sunlamps, and tanning booths. It causes early aging of the skin that can lead to skin cancer.
People of all ages and skin tones should limit the amount of time they spend in the sun, especially between mid-morning and late afternoon, and avoid other sources of UV radiation, such as tanning beds.
It is important to keep in mind that UV radiation is reflected by sand, water, snow, and ice and can go through windshields and windows. Even though skin cancer is more common among people with a light skin tone, people of all skin tones can develop skin cancer, including those with dark skin. Wear a hat with a wide brim all around that shades your face, neck, and ears. Wear sunglasses that block UV radiation to protect the skin around eyes. Wear long sleeves and long pants. Tightly woven, dark fabrics are best. Some fabrics are rated with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). The higher the rating, the greater the protection from sunlight. Use sunscreen products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Ionizing radiation can cause cell damage that leads to cancer.
