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Summer Sun Safety Month: Protecting Your Skin, Your Health, and Your Summer

August brings long days, outdoor adventures, and plenty of sunshine — which also makes it the perfect time to focus on Summer Sun Safety Month. At Libélula Primary Care, we want our community to enjoy Idaho’s beautiful outdoors while staying safe from harmful UV exposure.

Sun safety isn’t just about avoiding sunburn. It’s about preventing long‑term skin damage, reducing the risk of skin cancer, and protecting your eyes and immune system. Whether you’re hiking the Boise foothills, enjoying a backyard barbecue, or spending time at the pool, a few simple habits can make a big difference.

person with long hair with hat in front of water

Why Sun Safety Matters

UV radiation can damage skin cells even on cloudy days. Over time, this increases the risk of:

  • Skin cancer (including melanoma)

  • Premature aging (wrinkles and age spots, ahhh!)

  • Sunburns and blistering

  • Eye damage

  • Immune suppression

Children, older adults, and people with lighter skin tones burn more easily — but everyone is at risk.

Smart Sun Safety Habits

1. Use SPF 50+ daily   Choose SPF 50 or higher, broad‑spectrum, and reapply every 2 hours.

2. Wear protective clothing   Hats, sunglasses, and lightweight long sleeves help block UV rays.

3. Avoid peak sun hours   UV exposure is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

4. Protect children carefully   Kids’ skin is more sensitive, and early sunburns increase lifetime risk.

5. Check your skin regularly   Look for new moles, changes in shape or color, or spots that don’t heal.

Choose Reef‑Safe, High‑Protection Sunscreen

Use SPF 50+ daily and SPF 60–100 for extended outdoor activity. For swimming, hiking, or water sports, choose reef‑safe mineral sunscreen made with non‑nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These protect your skin without harming rivers, lakes, or marine ecosystems. Avoid oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, and other chemical filters that damage aquatic life.

Culturally Sensitive Sun Safety

Sun safety messaging often overlooks people with darker skin tones. While melanin offers some natural protection, it does not prevent skin cancer. In fact, melanoma in Black and Brown communities is often diagnosed later — making early education essential.

At Libélula, we provide bilingual, inclusive sun‑safety guidance for all skin tones and all families.

Summer Sun Safety Awareness Month: How We Can Help

  • Skin checks

  • Guidance on sunscreen types

  • Education for families and outdoor workers

  • Support for chronic skin conditions

  • Bilingual materials for community outreach

Enjoy the sunshine — and protect your skin while you do it.

References

  1. Glanz K, Buller D, Saraiya M. Reducing ultraviolet radiation exposure to prevent skin cancer: methodology and measurement. CA Cancer J Clin. 2020;70(4):329‑345. doi:10.3322/caac.21605

  2. Olsen CM, Green AC, Pandeya N, et al. A systematic review of risk factors for cutaneous melanoma. J Clin Oncol. 2016;34(33):4023‑4031. doi:10.1200/JCO.2016.67.6904

  3. Armstrong BK, Kricker A. The epidemiology of UV radiation and skin cancer. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2001;63(1‑3):8‑18. doi:10.1016/S1011-1344(01)00198-1

  4. Leiter U, Garbe C. Epidemiology of melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer—the role of sunlight. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2008;624:89‑103. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-77574-6_8

  5. Gandini S, Sera F, Cattaruzza MS, et al. Meta‑analysis of risk factors for cutaneous melanoma: II. Sun exposure. Eur J Cancer. 2005;41(1):45‑60. doi:10.1016/j.ejca.2004.10.016

  6. Lucas RM, McMichael AJ, Smith WT, Armstrong BK. Solar ultraviolet radiation: global burden of disease from solar UVR exposure. Environ Health Perspect. 2008;116(5):A197‑A198. doi:10.1289/ehp.116-a197

  7. Holman DM, Berkowitz Z, Guy GP Jr, et al. Patterns of sunscreen use on the face and other exposed skin among US adults. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2015;73(3):410‑416. doi:10.1016/j.jaad.2015.05.012

  8. Green AC, Williams GM, Logan V, Strutton GM. Reduced melanoma after regular sunscreen use: randomized trial follow‑up. J Clin Oncol. 2011;29(3):257‑263. doi:10.1200/JCO.2010.28.7078

  9. Young AR. Acute effects of UVR on human eyes and skin. Prog Biophys Mol Biol. 2006;92(1):80‑85. doi:10.1016/j.pbiomolbio.2006.02.011

  10. Diffey BL. Sunscreens as a preventative measure in melanoma: an evidence‑based approach. Br J Dermatol. 2005;153(2):378‑381. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2133.2005.06787.x

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