Keeping Safe and Fun in the Summer Sun!

Where will you and your family go this summer with the school year concluding and endless opportunities for fun arising? Even though there are high temperatures, summer is one of the most wonderful times of the year! With better comes ample opportunities to spend time with your family at the pool, down by the beach, or camping in beautiful destinations. Whichever way you choose to make memories this summer, don't forget to splash into your Riverside Village Pharmacy. We have the right products to protect you and your family this summer.

Staying Safe in the Summer Sun

The sun is both necessary and damaging, providing warmth but also acting as one of the leading concerns for your skin. Sunlight is a type of ultraviolet light. UVA or UVB rays are the two types of UV light we experience on earth:

• UVA rays make up 95% of the rays that reach the earth.
• UVB rays make up the remaining 5%.

While this information might feel unnecessary to your life, it’s integral to your skin health. UV rays impact the sun as well as your skin. Excess exposure to UVA & UVB rays can cause:

• Skin damage
• Skin cancers
• Skin blisters

All skin tones face the risks of excess exposure to the sun’s rays. The Fitzpatrick Scale, shown below, is a classification system for skin types and their reaction to UV rays.

There are a variety of products that can keep you safe before and after your outdoor excursions this summer, including:

• Aloe vera gel – which helps soothe sunburns.
• Hats & Sunglasses – protect your head and face from the sun.
• Sunscreen – helps filter UV rays from the sun to protect your skin from damage.

Proper Sunscreen Usage

When purchasing sunscreen at Riverside Village Pharmacy, you will see the abbreviation SPF on the label. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. SPF measures how well the product will protect your skin against harmful UV rays. Dermatologists usually recommend using sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or more. While there may be sunscreens with various levels of SPF, some as high as 70, it’s good to know how much protection to expect with each level.

The chart above shows that an increase in SPF level above 30 does not equal significantly more sun protection. This information is helpful to keep in mind when you’re purchasing sunscreen at your Riverside Village Pharmacy.

Essential Factors to Keep in Mind When Applying Sunscreen

• Reapplication is critical to your skin health this summer. Water from swimming and sweating can affect your sunscreen layer. You should be actively reapplying sunscreen every two to three hours. Even the most water-resistant sunscreens require repeated application throughout the day to be considered effective.
• Sunscreen should always cover your face, neck, arms, legs, and even your lips! Customers often forget to sunscreen their lips, and many companies now offer lip balm specifically to prevent burns on this sensitive area.
• As you look for your next favorite sunscreen, make sure to check its expiration dates. Topical products lose potency over time, leaving you unprotected if used after their expiration. If you need help checking if your sunscreen has expired, a team member is readily available to help you!

Sun Safety Beyond the Beach

Sunscreen is necessary for any outdoor activity you can think of. While some activities require more sun protection than others, there are many instances where customers don’t realize UV rays are impacting them, such as:

• Driving
• Attending an outdoor wedding
• Camping
• Visiting a water park
• Fishing
• Yardwork
• Exercising outside

This summer, we recommend sunscreen and shade breaks to help fight burns and fatigue. Our team at Riverside Village Pharmacy wants to make sure you enjoy your time in the sun. Before you set out for fun in the sun, pay us a visit for quality products for the best sun protection imaginable.