MYTH: DAILY SUN PROTECTION IS NOT NEEDED

FALSE: There are many reasons given why people aren't following daily sun protective practices, but UV exposure is a 365 day per year priority. Here are a few excuses we can debunk:

A BASE TAN DOES NOT PREVENT BURNS

There is no evidence to support the belief that a base tan safely protects you against sunburn. Any change in skin color from tanning is a sign of damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation and increases your risk of premature skin aging and skin cancer. It is much better to rely on sunscreen, hats and UPF clothing to protect yourself from sunburns than to try for that perfect base tan. So, lather up and cover up when enjoying some fun in the sun.

YOU CAN BURN IN ANY SEASON, NOT JUST SUMMER

Unfortunately, we all need to be vigilant year round with sun protection. The potential risk of harmful UV exposure, measured by the UV index, varies daily. It is a good idea to wear your sunscreen and protective clothing and to check out the UV index in your area whenever you are heading out for an extended period of time, no matter the season.

For those people who think they don’t need to protect themselves year round from the sun because they don’t live in a warm-weather state, it’s time to think again. According to Center for Disease Control (CDC) statistics from 2013-2017 and information from the National Cancer Institute, the states with the highest rates of new melanoma cases are Utah, Vermont, Minnesota and New Hampshire. The lowest rates were found in Texas, Alaska and New Mexico. While sun protection is extremely important for everyone, those in the south and west who are used to hot temperatures and the sun beating down on them all day seem to do a better job of wearing hats and sunscreen than their counterparts in the north and midwest. It is speculated that in the northern states, especially when seasons change and residents head back outside to enjoy activities without sunscreen being top of mind, higher rates of sunburns, one of the biggest risk factors in developing melanoma, is the cause of the higher case numbers. In addition, the CDC Consumer Health Styles Survey found that the rate of new melanoma cases among men is more than 50% higher than those of women. The main factors causing this discrepancy are the reluctance of men to wear sunscreen and male work environments. Many outdoor jobs such as grounds maintenance, construction, and similar labor professions are occupied by more than 90% men. Helping to reduce the risk of skin cancer requires a combination of sun protective strategies such as sunscreen, sun protective clothing and wearing a hat. Check out our Sundercover® liners to learn how this one simple fix can make your favorite hats tools against sun exposure.