This document summarizes the risks and benefits of sun exposure. It notes that some sun exposure is needed to produce vitamin D, but that excessive unprotected exposure can lead to sunburn, skin damage, premature aging, and skin cancers like melanoma. It provides information on how to minimize sun damage through the use of protective clothing, hats, sunscreen, and avoiding midday sun when UV rays are strongest. It warns that tanning beds still produce UV rays and are not a safe alternative to tanning. Overall it aims to educate that sun exposure needs to be moderate and protective to maximize benefits and reduce risks to health.

1. Sun Wise
“Every morning in Africa, a Gazelle
wakes up, knowing it must run faster
than the fastest lion or it will be killed.
Every morning a Lion wakes up knowing
it must outrun the slowest Gazelle or it
will starve to death.
It doesn’t matter whether you are a Lion
or a Gazelle….when the SUN comes up,
you’d better be running.”

2. The Sun: Friend or Foe
Vitamin D
(The Sunshine Vitamin)
There is a relationship between low
vitamin D levels and poor bone health.
Links have been made to everything
from multiple sclerosis to prostate
cancer.

3. Friend
Getting some sun
may shake off the
winter time blues.
Research suggests that light
hitting your skin helps reverse
seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

4. Dose
Like most things in life, it’s the
dose that counts.
Some is beneficial, but too much
can be very harmful.

5. Skin and Sun
Sunlight is hard on your skin.
There is evidence that
exposure before your 20th birthday
matters most.

6. Melanoma
A large Scandinavian study of
melanoma risk published in the
Journal of the National Cancer
Institute in 2003 found that
ADOLESCENCE
is the most dangerous time to get
sunburn.

7. Melanoma Superficial
Spreading

8. Melanoma beneath the
fingernail

9. Melanoma facts
The American Cancer Society
estimates in 2007 8,110 fatalities
5,220 men, 2,800 women
Melanoma is estimated at 59,940
33,910 men, 26,030 women

10. Sunburn
Sunburn literally a burn on your skin,
from ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
The consequence is inflammation of the
skin.
Injury can start within 30 minutes of
exposure.

11. Sunburn Levels

12. “Hoot Owl”
Sunburn

13. Premature aging (photoaging) of the
skin and wrinkles
Strong melanoma candidate

14. Both UVA and UVB are responsible
for photoaging and sunburn.
Tanning beds produce both UVA and UVB rays

15. Certain light-skinned and fair-haired
people are at greater risk
of sunburn injury

16. High risk sunburn
Prior sun
exposure & prior
skin injury are
risks for sunburn,
even in limited
exposure to the
sun.

17. High Altitude: Skiers/Hikers/Climbers
(Pic: Everest, North Col ice field)

18. Everest Climber UV Victim
(Thin air, less UV protection)

19. Other sun related issues
Premature Aging
Severe Wrinkling
Cancerous Skin tumors
Pigmented Skin Lesion
Development (moles)
Premature Cataract Formation

20. Pigmented Skin Lesion

21. Mild Sunburn Symptoms
Mild and
uncomplicated cases of
sunburn usually result in
minor skin redness and

22. Severe Sunburn Symptoms
More severe cases (sun poisoning)
are complicated by severe skin
burning and blistering, massive
fluid loss (dehydration) electrolyte
imbalance, and infection.

23. Seeking Medical Care
Conditions that should motivate
you to go to a hospital's emergency
department include the following:
Severe pain
Severe blistering
Headache
Confusion
Nausea or vomiting
Fainting

24. Prevention
extensive time
in the SUN
AVOID

25. Prevention
Other more practical strategies
include wearing:
 Wide-brim hats
 Long-sleeve shirts
 Long pants.

26. Sunscreen
SPF 8 protects twice
as long as SPF 4
Most sunburns can
be prevented with
SPF 15

27. Sensitive Skin
SPF 30

28. Sunscreen Notes
 Apply and Re-apply.
 Apply in generous amounts & in
layers.
 Activities such as sweating and
swimming degrade its effectiveness.
 Sunscreens are not waterproof.
 Words sunblock, waterproof, and all
day protection are no longer used.

29. Drug Sensitivity
Some drugs
such as antibiotics, antipsoriatics
(prescribed for skin conditions)
and acne medicines can cause
sun sensitivity.

30. Tanning Salons
"Tan indoors with absolutely no harmful
side effects"
"No burning, no drying, and no sun
damage"
"Unlike the sun, indoor tanning will not
cause skin cancer or skin aging“
True or False??

31. False
Tanning indoors damages your skin.
The tanners emit ultraviolet rays.
Tanning occurs when the skin produces
additional pigment to protect itself from
ultraviolet rays.
Overexposure can cause eye injury,
premature wrinkling, and light-induced
skin rashes.
Chances of developing skin cancer
increase.

32. Other False Claims
"You can achieve a deep year-round
tan with gentle, comfortable, and safe
UVA light.“
"No harsh glare, so no goggles or eye
shades are necessary.“
"Tan year round without the harmful
side effects often associated with
natural sunlight."

33. Be Wise!
Sun Wise!

34. This Children's Environmental Health
presentation was made possible
through a grant from
The Dow Chemical Company
Foundation

35. Credits
• Charles Lichon, R.S., M.P.H., Creator of Children’s EH
Program, Midland County Health Department (CHD) Michigan
• Nancy Atwood, Midland CHD (MI) Sanitarian
• Christine Rogers, Meth Response Coordinator, Kalamazoo
CHD, MI
• Robert Wolfe, Midland CHD (MI) Sanitarian
• John Demerjian and Linda Van Orden, Wayne CHD, MI, Body
Art
• National Environmental Health Association (NEHA.org) for
website storage and oversight.
NOTE: Permission to use this and all Children’s EH Power Point
presentations is granted thru NEHA, however, all grant and credit notices
and informational slides must be used during each presentation.

36. Other presentations include:
 Body Art
 Careers in Environmental Health
 Food Safe Issues
 Household Hazardous Waste
 Meth and Teens
 Recreational Water
 Sun Wise
Contact NEHA.org for more information

37. For more Information
about this presentation,
contact:
(Local Health Dept Name
here)