July 20th, 2021
How was your week? Last week I had a minor speed bump that caused me to slow down in the form of an injury to my fingertip. I was prepping vegetables, in an attempt to eat healthier lunches, when my knife slipped and nearly cut the end of my fingertip off! With that said, I hope your week went more smoothly than mine. It could have been a lot worse, but it was far from convenient. Through trials we have two choices -adapt/pivot or give up. Y’all should know by now that giving up is not an option for me. I kept busy learning new techniques and helping in the office. Over the past couple of weeks, we have discovered what UV rays are and the valuable benefits they provide, lets dive into the risks associated with UV rays.
First let me say this blog is not meant to be intimidating or sound doomsdayish, but to provide you with information associated with the risks of UV exposure. When we are informed, we can then take steps of precaution and know what risks are associated with that item or activity.
According to the EPA, the risks of UV exposure include skin cancer, skin damage (i.e., premature aging), eye damage (i.e., cataracts), and immune system suppression. You may be thinking the last one is a contradiction as I just told you last week that UV rays can boost your immune system. It is all about moderation! Our skin is our body’s first line of defense and if that is damaged by overexposure, our immune system can, in fact, be weakened.
Caused by overexposure to UV rays, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the US, according to the CDC. How do we protect ourselves from overexposure? Seek out shade in the form of a shade tree, umbrella, or shelter. Our clothing can help as well: long sleeved shirts and long pants, large-brimmed hats, and sunglasses. Sunscreen, when used correctly, provides a great barrier of protection from UV rays as well. You need to reapply according to the instructions and activity type/level.
When I was doing my research for this topic, tanning beds kept popping up in all articles. They are not a safe alternative to sun exposure. This may seem like a no-brainer to some and a complete shock to others. Tanning beds and salons were extremely popular when I was in high school and college, it seemed like everyone was doing it. This is yet another trend I did not follow, and the reasons are endless: lack of time, cost, claustrophobia, inability to be still for any period of time and I am very fair skinned and easily burn. It never appealed to me. I will touch more on this topic next week with my first interview for my blog! It is about an entrepreneur with a personal connection to the dangers of UV rays and a passion to make people feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin.
Whether this is the first time reading my blog, or you are a loyal subscriber, I am so glad you tuned in this week! Do you have a friend or family member that could benefit from this blog? Tell them to subscribe!
Have a blessed week ~ Lacey
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