Football Season is here and as the team rivalries heat up fans like you are flocking to the beleachers to cheer on their favorite teams; however sitting in the stands can be very dangerous putting your skin at high risk. Regardless of the temperature the sun's UV Radiation can harm your skin and cause premature aging - UV radiation is considered the main cause of approximately 90% of all skin cancers and is also associated with eye damage including cataracts and reduced immune system functioning.
Sun protection is a year-round commitment but you can stay safe during football season and beyond by following these simple guidelines for spectators...
1. Sit Strategically - If possible try to get seats in the shady section of the stadium or field, under an awning or overhang. If you cannot find a seat that is out of the sun you should consider bringing a portable shading structure or umbrella with you.
2. Dress the Part - The more skin you cover the better! A baseball cap may announce your team affiliation but a hat such as an outback or bucket hat with at least a 3" brim all around will protect your head, beck and shoulders which sustain the most sun damage and are the most common sites for precancers and cancers.
3. Cover Your Eyes - About 10% of all skin cancers occur on the eyelid so protect your eyes with a pair of UV blocking sunglasses and choose larger sized frames to shield the eyes, eyelids and surrounding araeas. Sunglasses that block 99-100% of UV Radiation are the best!
4. Wear Sunscreen - This is a no brainer but sunscreen is a must! Always choose products with an SPF of 15 or higher that has high performance UVA-blocking ingredients such as Titanium Dioxide, Zinc Oxide, Avobenzone, Ecamsule, Oxybenzone, etc. to prevent premature aging. Reapply every 2hours or immediately after sweating heavily and don't think that just because it's overcast you can skip - Up to 80% of the sun's damaging UV Radiation can actually penetrate clouds and harm your skin.