Watch Out for Sun-Induced DNA Damage Even After Lockdown

When lockdowns started happening in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, people were worried that increased life indoors could cause all sorts of health problems. After all, many experts say that human beings are evolved to spend their days out and about, not holed up.

But now with restrictions relaxing because of the vaccine rollouts, other experts are also giving the same friendly reminder that too much time in the summer sun can still be bad for skin health.

UV radiation and skin cancer - a review

It might be tempting to believe that with all the time you had been forced to spend indoors, you need a major recharge of sun time. But in reality, your body is still just as vulnerable to ultraviolet (UV) radiation as it was when the lockdowns started.

Here is a brief recap of how this happens. UV radiation can damage the DNA in your skills, causing sunburn as well as increased risk of skin cancer. For the most part, the body deals with this damage by either self-repair or by eliminating cells showing the first signs of abnormalities.

Still, this is not always perfect. The body can only do so much to keep up with the amount of UV radiation you expose yourself too when outside. That is why, no matter how long you claim to 'haven't seen the sun,' you should still go out with the proper sun protective gear.

A handy list of UV protection tips

To help you get started before heading out, consider the following tips and getting some of the right items to make sure your skin only gets the right amount of sun from your first trip outside.

1. Pick a good sunhat.

Not all hats are created equal when it comes to sun protection. Straw hats are actually a really poor choice if they have too many holes. Likewise goes for a hat that doesn't cover the neck (e.g. caps). Opt for something with a wider brim that ensures coverage of the whole head!

2. Sun protection factor (SPF).

When picking sunscreen, the most important thing to look out for is SPF. This essentially describes how long it can protect you from UV complications compared to just going out unprotected. Of course, there are other factors to consider. But if you are the type to tan pretty easily, going for a higher SPF is a good rule of thumb.

3. Know the sun's schedule.

Ideally, you want to avoid going out during noontime when the sun is at its highest. If you are just itching to go out the first thing during the day, then consider planning a morning trip. Alternatively, you can wait until mid-afternoon so you can combine a nice day with an evening in town.

All in all, while it is perfectly understandable to want to be free from the dreaded indoors after a lockdown year, some things have not actually changed. You can still get a nasty sunburn when being out on the beach for too long and that still increases your risk of cancer.

Fortunately, prevention has not changed either. Go get some good sun protection and have fun!