Summer 2025 is around the Corner: Enjoy the Sun Safely
The following information was prepared by Francesca Gonnella, MPH, Care Resource Coordinator with Barnstable County’s Public Health Nursing Division.
In this article:
- Know your UVA and UVB!
- Sunscreen and Infants
- Sunscreen Hacks for Squirmy Kiddos
- Important Things to Remember When Applying Sunscreen
- May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month!
- Beyond the Sun: Additional Safety Resources for Summer Safety on Cape Cod
Winter is officially behind us and the warmer, sunnier days of the long-anticipated Cape Cod summer are finally within reach. Bring on the sun, sandy feet, home-grown veggie gardens, the distant hum of lawnmowers and the smell of fresh cut grass, back-yard barbeques, kettle pond dips, wave chasing, bike riding, boating, and beach bumming. That is what a Cape Cod summer is all about. But while we soak up every last minute of the high season in our paradisical peninsula, there are some safety reminders that always bear repeating.
Did you know? Cape Cod has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the country.
According to data published by the National Institutes of Health State Cancer Profiles, the rate of skin cancer diagnosis in Massachusetts is 5%. In the Barnstable-Yarmouth area, research conducted between 2017 and 2021 found a diagnosis rate of 8.6%, significantly higher that the Massachusetts rate, and double the national average.
Protecting Yourself from the Sun: Know your UVA and UVB!
UV stands for ‘ultraviolet’ radiation. There frequencies of ultraviolet radiation that come from the sun—A and B.
- UVA exposure is associated with wrinkles and skin aging. A=aging.
- UVB is primarily responsible for sunburn. B=burn.
- UVC radiation is absorbed by the earth’s ozone layer, so it does not pose as much of a risk. UVC produced by germicidal UV lights, however, can be harmful from human exposure.
When choosing sunscreen, it’s extremely important to pick one that clearly states “broad spectrum” meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Read this article from SkinCancer.org to learn more>>>!
Parents of Infants
Infants under 6 months should not wear sunscreen, due to their sensitive skin. Instead, dress them in sun protective clothing, like long sleeves and a hat, and keep them in the shade as much as possible. Interested in learning more? Check out this article from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
For children 6 months and older and adults, opt for water resistant, broad spectrum, SPF 30+. SPF stands for “sun protection factor”, which essentially indicates that it takes the skin 30 times longer to start to burn. It’s important to note, however, that no sunscreen is effective for over two hours, which is why experts recommend a minimum SPF of 30 for maximum protection. Reapply every 2 hours as needed, or every 40 minutes if sweating and swimming.
Sunscreen Hacks for Squirmy Kiddos
It can be difficult getting children to wear sunscreen, so here are some tips for putting sunscreen on your least cooperative family members!
- Try putting the sunscreen on in the car seat, while they are still buckled in.
- Apply the sunscreen with a makeup brush or makeup sponge. This allows you to also get the crevices of the face and avoid getting sunscreen on your hands (kids also tend to find these types of accessories entertaining).
- Face painting can be a creative way to make your child enjoy sunscreen. Have them try and guess what you are painting!
More Important Reminders about Applying Sunscreen!
- Sunscreen (for adults and children) should be applied 15–30 minutes PRIOR to sun exposure!
- Sunscreen should be applied every two hours or earlier if the individual is swimming or sweating.
- A note on spray sunscreen from the American Academy of Dermatology: sprays are sometimes preferred by parents since they are easy to apply to a child’s skin. However, the challenge in using sprays is that it is difficult to know if you have used enough sunscreen to protect all sun-exposed areas of the body. To evenly cover the skin and use spray sunscreen safely, follow these tips:
- Spray until your (or your child’s) skin glistens, then rub the sunscreen into the skin to get even coverage.
- Do not apply spray sunscreen while you are smoking, near heat, or close to an open flame.
- Avoid inhaling spray sunscreen by never spraying it around or near the face or mouth and not spraying it into the wind.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month—Help Spread the Word!!
Skin cancer awareness starts with YOU. This social media toolkit gives you downloadable skin cancer graphics and resources to help you #SharetheFacts during Skin Cancer Awareness Month and all year long.
Beyond the Sun: Additional Safety Resources for Summer Safety on Cape Cod
Heads Up Parents! How to Decrease the Risk of Drowning During the Summer Season
CapeCodChamber.org: Shark and Beach Safety on Cape Cod
Beach Safety for Families: Safe Fun in the Sun, Sand & Sea – HealthyChildren.org
Beach and Water Safety – Cape Cod National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)
Seasons Change, but Food Safety Steps Shouldn’t | FoodSafety.gov
