07/24/2026
SUN-SAFETY AND SUNSCREENS
July is UV Safety Month, but
sun protection is more than a
seasonal reminder. It is one of
the simplest ways people can
lower their risk of skin damage
over time. The Centers for
Disease Control and
Prevention notes that
ultraviolet, or UV, rays can
damage skin in as little as 15
minutes, and protection
matters even on cloudy or cool
days because UV rays can still
reach the skin and reflect off
water, sand, cement, and other
surfaces. In the continental
United States, UV rays are
usually strongest between 10
a.m. and 4 p.m. during daylight
saving time.
Skin cancer remains the most
common cancer in the United
States, and too much exposure
to UV rays is one of the major
preventable risks. That does
not mean people need to avoid
summer. It means small habits
matter: choosing shade when
possible, wearing sunglasses
and a wide-brimmed hat, using
protective clothing, and
applying sunscreen before the
damage is done.
One of the most confusing
parts of sun protection is the
SPF number. SPF stands for
sun protection factor, and it
mainly refers to protection
from UVB rays, the rays most
closely linked to sunburn. The
numbers do not increase in the
way many people assume. SPF
15 filters out about 93% of UVB
rays, while SPF 30 filters out
about 97%. SPF 50 goes a little
higher, but no sunscreen
blocks 100% of UVB rays. This
is why proper use matters as
much as the number on the
bottle.
Broad-spectrum is another
important phrase on the label.
Broad-spectrum sunscreen
helps protect against both UVA
and UVB rays. The American
Academy of Dermatology
recommends choosing a
sunscreen that is broad-
spectrum, water resistant, and
SPF 30 or higher. UVA rays are
often associated with skin aging
and can pass through window
glass, while UVB rays are more
strongly associated with
sunburn. Both types can
contribute to skin cancer risk.
Sunscreen also has to be used
like a product that wears off,
not like a one-time shield. The
U.S. Food and Drug
Administration recommends
reapplying sunscreen at least
every two hours, and more
often after swimming or
sweating.
