“Let’s go to Blackfoot lake, it’s supposed to be hot today!”
“Dont be outside too long or you’ll get skin damage”
Spending time in the sun can be delightfully enjoyable or painfully miserable; and avoiding skin cancer is serious business.
Did you know that just 5 blistering sunburns can double your risk of melanoma? The good news? When melanoma is found early, the 5-year survival rate is about 99%.
Idaho Summers are about being outside… We are stuck inside all winter so there is no way that we are hiding inside all summer. So how can we do that safely?
Sun Facts to Enjoy Your Summer safely
A trip to Island Park, all day at the Rexburg water park, coaching little league, or working in the yard. They aren’t all the same sun exposure.
But you don’t need to be afraid, just be more informed!
Here’s a UV chart for which of Idaho’s most popular summer activities are the most sun intense!
The Best Protection From Skin Cancer Causing Sun Damage
- Wear SPF 30+ Sunscreen
Apply 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours. - Wear UPF Clothing
A lightweight UPF 50+ shirt protects your skin all day without washing off. - Cover Your Head
A wide-brim hat helps protect your face, ears, and neck from UV rays. - Don’t Forget Sunglasses
Choose lenses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. - Find Shade During Peak UV Hours
The sun is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. - Stay Hydrated
Drink water consistently throughout the day, especially during outdoor activities. - Schedule Routine Skin Checks
Regular skin exams help catch changes early, when treatment is often simplest.
The GOOD and the BAD Health Effects of the Sun
☀️ Good Health Effects of the Sun
…and how to get them safely.
| Benefit | What To do |
|---|---|
| Vitamin D Production | Enjoy 10–20 minutes of sun without burning (varies by skin type). |
| Increased Serotonin (Better Mood) | Spend 10+ minutes outside each day. |
| Regulate Circadian Rhythm (Better Sleep) | Get morning sunlight within 1 hour of waking up. |
| More Energy | Take a short walk outside instead of staying indoors all day. |
🌞 Bad Health Effects of the Sun
…and how to avoid them.
| Risk | What To Do |
| Sunburn | Wear SPF 30+ and reapply every 2 hours. |
| Increased Skin Cancer risk | Avoid repeated burns and get a yearly skin check to catch early symptoms |
| Wrinkles & Sun Spots | Wear sunscreen on your face every day. |
| Eye Damage | Wear sunglasses with 100% UV protection. |
| Heat Exhaustion & Dehydration | Drink 16–24 oz of water per hour when active in the heat. |
| Sun Poisoning | Wear a UPF 50+ shirt for long days outside. |
Joe Rogan and Jacob Rowen Podcast
Joe Rogan Experience #2516 – Rowan Jacobsen
Have you Heard of Joe Rogan? Well, whether you like it or not, Joe and Rowen Jacobsen had a super interesting conversation about some lesser known facts about the sun.
Here were my biggest take aways:
- Don’t avoid the sun, AVOID SUNBURNS
- Sun damage as a kid can show up LATER in life
- Not everyone’s skin sensitivity is the same
- NOTHING can replace sunlights good effects
Don’t Stress, Get Checked
So yes the sun can be good AND bad for your skin.
Luckily skin exams and skin cancer screenings are one of the easiest things you can do for your future. Knowing what’s going on with your own skin is never a bad idea.
You might not think much about a mole or a spot until someone points it out years later.
But what IS good news, is that nothing has to be currently going wrong to get a skin check, so I say let’s just make it part of our new routine.
You Would Benefit From a Quick Skin Check If:
- You spend 4+ hours outside for work or fun
- You’ve had 1 sunburn that peeled this summer
- You have a mole that’s changing in size, shape, or color
- You notice a spot that won’t heal or keeps coming back
- Skin cancer runs in your family and your 20 years or older
- You have fair skin, light eyes, or freckles that burn easily
- You use tanning beds more than 5 times in the past
- You’ve never had a professional skin exam and your 20 years or older
- You simply want peace of mind before something becomes a bigger concern
Always remember, Wray Dermatology in Pocatello or Blackfoot can help you with any of these!
Your New Summer Plan
This Summer especially when it’s extra bright, apply your sunscreen, and remember, it never hurts to get checked.
And If you’re in Idaho and you’ve been putting off getting your skin checked, this is your reminder that your skin matters. The team at Wray Dermatology makes check ups super easy and enjoying the sun fun again
Go enjoy the sunshine!
