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Key Takeaways: Learn about UV safety. Ultraviolet (UV) light can cause irreversible damage to the skin and eyes, including skin cancer and cataracts. When in the sun this summer, use protective measures for your skin. Such as wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, UV protected sunglasses, and staying in the shade when possible.
It is officially summer — that means more time spent outside soaking up the sunshine. While being outside in the sun has many benefits for your physical and mental health, it’s not without its drawbacks. July is Ultraviolet (UV) Safety and Awareness Month, a month to reiterate the importance of staying safe in the sun.
Remote Area Medical (RAM®) wants you to take care of your health in all aspects. This includes preventative maintenance, to potentially prevent future complications.
Tips for ‘Practicing Safe Sun’ and UV Safety —
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) urges people to “#PracticeSafeSun!” This encourages people to protect themselves from the sun’s UV light.
The AAD recommends, while outside, people:
- Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
- Seek shade
- Wear sun-protective clothing, including hats with a brim all the way around
- Wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection
What is SPF? —
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, measures how much UV radiation it takes to produce sunburn on protected skin. The larger value of SPF means increased protection from sunburn. It is recommended to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher. When outside, sunscreen should be reapplied approximately every two hours [Center for Disease Control (CDC)].
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SPF is not related to the amount of time spent directly exposed to the sun. It is related to the amount of exposure to UV; the intensity of UV radiation can vary throughout the day. It may be necessary to reapply sunscreen more frequently during later parts of the day to avoid sunburn [CDC].
Avoid using sunscreen on babies younger than six months old. Try to avoid sun exposure for babies this young. If the sun cannot be avoided, use protective clothing and try to stay in the shade [CDC].
Other ways to protect your skin —
Wearing long sleeves, pants, and long skirts can protect skin from UV rays. However, these clothes may not be practical during the summer months. Wearing a t-shirt or beach cover-up can be helpful in reducing the amount of exposure to the sun. To protect the face, ears, and neck, wear a hat with a brim all the way around [CDC].
Other things to consider when wearing clothes as protection, wearing a dry T-shirt, rather than a wet one, offers significantly more protection from the sun. Fabrics that are more tightly woven offer more UV protection [CDC].
Protecting your eyes from the sun —
UV protection is important for avoiding sunburn, it is also important to protect your eyes from UV radiation. The CDC recommends sunglasses that offer UVA and UVB protection; this not only reduces the risk of cataracts, but it also protects the tender skin around the eyes from UV light. Most sunglasses in the U.S. meet this standard, but it is important to check before you buy.
Sunglasses and eye protection are also important for children. Learn more about the importance of children’s eye health and safety here.
Why UV safety and protection is important —
Too much exposure to UV light is the cause of most skin cancers. Exposure to UV light does not only come from the sun. It can also come from tanning beds and sun lamps [CDC]. It is possible to reduce exposure to harmful UV light by using preventative measures. Including using sunscreen, protective clothing, full coverage hats, sunglasses, and seeking shade when possible.
Those at higher risk for skin cancer are those who have a family history of skin cancer, spend a lot of time outdoors, live in a sunny climate, have a history of severe sunburn, and have large and irregularly shaped moles [Cleveland Clinic].
A medical professional should monitor and examine any worrisome spots or skin lesions. Early detection of skin cancer is extremely important for treatment.
“Fortunately, if skin cancer is identified and treated in early stages, most are cured,” says the Cleveland Clinic.
RAM’s impact —
Beyond providing tips on preventative care in our blogs and social media content, RAM’s free clinics offer patients access to medical care they may not have access to. At these clinics patients often have doctors examine skin spots or lesions that may be a result of UV exposure.
Dr. Paul Hart (pictured above), a longtime RAM Volunteer, shared his experience with patients presenting with skin lesions at the clinic in February 2025 in Knoxville, Tennessee.
“Between us [himself and a plastic surgeon], we saw three skin lesions which may be cancerous. He removed them,” said Dr. Hart. “. . . They’re going to be sent off for analysis so the patient will know. And then appropriate follow up will be done when the report comes back.”
Dr. Hart expressed how the RAM Clinic was a great resource for these patients. They did not have to see multiple providers or worry about referrals — it was all done on-site at the clinic.
Supporting RAM —
Your donations support RAM directly. If you would like to donate to help RAM continue to provide free dental, vision, and medical care to people in need, please click here to donate.
Dental, vision, and medical providers, and general support volunteers’ hard work supports our mission. If you would like to join us in volunteering at one of our upcoming clinics, please visit www.ramusa.org/volunteer/.
Learn more about RAM’s mission, hear from our volunteers and patients, hear about preventative care measures, and more through RAM’s blog. Want to learn what a “healthcare desert” is and why RAM often has clinics in these areas? It only takes about two minutes to read the blog post on “healthcare deserts.”
Where is RAM’s next free clinic? Check the RAM Clinic schedule!
