Sun Safety Facts Every Senior at Hilltop Estates in Redding Should Know

Five million Americans get treatment for skin cancer every year, according to the CDC. Of those people, most are aged 65 years or older.

The issue is that skin cancer is mostly preventable with the right mindset and a few effective precautions.

We're here to help provide some sun safety facts and actionable precautions seniors in Redding, CA, can put into practice right away. Keep reading to learn more about how to provide better protection for aging skin!

Skin Thins With Age

As we age, the epidermis cells in our skin start to thin. This leads to issues such as:

Skin appears more transparent
Easy bruising
Drier skin
Less skin elasticity

In addition to these problems, the thinner quality of aged skin also makes it more susceptible to sun damage. Sunburns become more common, even if you're outside for only a short while.

This fact means you need to think ahead about skin health in aging if you want to prevent as much sun damage as possible. Even if you've never suffered a sunburn before in your youth, thinner skin means you need to think about precautions as a senior.

Cumulative Sun Exposure Leads to Higher Cancer Risk

The journal Dermatologic Therapy states that UV radiation damage is cumulative. Your skin may heal from a bad sunburn, but internal damage to the skin layers stays with you throughout your whole life.

At Hilltop Estates, we make sure to encourage proper UV protection for seniors to keep our community sunburn-free. It's worth the effort since, according to the same study, putting in the daily effort to protect your skin can reduce your lifetime UV exposure by 50%.

Medical Considerations

Did you know that certain medical conditions or medications can cause you to be more photosensitive? This can contribute to a higher risk of UV sun damage with even the smallest amounts of sunlight.

Some common conditions and medications to look out for include:

Lupus
Psoriasis
Rosacea
Tetracycline
Hydroxychloroquine
NSAIDs

Check with your local health provider if you're uncertain whether photosensitivity and its risks apply to you. If you have a condition or take a medication that increases photosensitivity, it's important to take warm weather precautions before you spend a day in the sun.

Even Minor Sunburns Cause Damage

It can be easy to wave off a minor sunburn. You might think that, since it only causes you a small amount of inconvenience, it can't be that bad.

The thing to remember is that even small sunburns cause damage to the delicate layers of your skin. The cumulative effect of UV damage happens no matter the severity of a sunburn.

That's why it's vital to do what you can to avoid all sunburns to keep your skin as healthy as possible.

Ways to Prevent Sun Damage

The good news is that UV skin damage is preventable. Listed below are several easy heat safety tips to help prevent future damage to your skin and keep you ready to tackle your favorite senior activities all year long.

Always Use Sunscreen

The key to healthy skin, no matter your age, is to wear sunscreen when you go outside.

This includes times when it looks cloudy. Harmful UV rays can still reach your skin through cloud cover, so don't let the darker weather fool you.

If you don't enjoy the idea of putting on sunscreen every time you step outside, try implementing other SPF products in your self-care routine.

For example, find a skin lotion that includes at least SPF 30 or higher. This way, you can put on lotion as normal, but you'll also get the benefit of SPF protection without an extra step. An aerosolized sunscreen can also be a huge help for people who want sun protection that's both quick and simple to use.

Make sure to reapply your sunscreen throughout the day to get the most out of your efforts.

Wear a Hat

When people think of skin safety, the scalp is often overlooked. The problem is that the sun can still damage the scalp as much as any other part of the body. Even with a thick head of hair, there could be partings or less-covered areas that are susceptible to sunburns.

Thinning skin also affects the scalp, so the idea of relying on hair as a protective cover no longer applies to seniors.

This is where a hat comes to the rescue.

A simple sun hat or baseball cap is all you need to protect your scalp. Plus, it can provide an extra barrier to protect your face, too.

Stay in the Shade

Outdoor wellness requires you to understand your limits. Whether you sit in the shade to reduce overheating or to prevent sun damage, it's important to provide yourself with options when you spend time outside.

Trees, for example, are a great way to ensure you have a shady spot, but sometimes you're going somewhere without trees.

A parasol can be the perfect solution to this problem. It can provide portable shade no matter where you go, and it's easy to take with you.

Don't forget to think about potential shady retreats when you attend your favorite Redding senior programs and events. A few moments of foresight can make a big difference in the protection and overall health of your skin.

Avoid Noon Outings

A simple trick to prevent sun damage is to plan your outings to occur before or after the height of noon. This can help reduce the severity of the sun's UV rays on your skin and can help prevent overheating.

Adjusting by even a single hour can make your outing more enjoyable and healthier for everyone.

Using Sun Safety Facts for Better Senior Living With Hilltop Estates

To get the most out of these sun safety facts, make sure to find an independent living community that holds similar safety values.

If you're looking for a Redding senior living community that puts your safety and well-being first, look no further than Hilltop Estates. Our supportive services can help ensure that your daily activities are as safe as possible without ever taking away your sense of independence.