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We Pacific Northwesterners love our sun. After a long wet winter, summer calls to us with all the beauty our great outdoors has to offer. since many of us are spending more time outside due to social distancing,

August is Summer Sun Safety Month and, it's a great time for a reminder on how to enjoy the sun and outdoors safely. The longer, sunny days of summer present the possibilities of beautiful, fun-filled days. Being outdoors is proven to improve our overall physical and mental health and we've known for years that we need sunlight to produce the vitamin D our bodies require. But we also know that overexposure to the sun may cause skin cancer, regardless of our natural skin tones.

Everyone has heard that you need to wear sunscreen. The message has been delivered by just about every healthcare professional and cancer prevention organization out there. But recently there have been concerns raised about the safety of using sunscreen. Could sunscreen be bad for our health?

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., but it's still widely misunderstood. Many people have questions about skin cancer and their risk of developing the disease. In honor of May being Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we answer some of your most commonly asked questions. 

From its beaches to its mountains and everything in between, the Pacific Northwest provides a wonderful backdrop for many outdoor summer activities. August is Summer Sun Safety, and with so many opportunities to get outside around the Portland-Vancouver metroplex, it’s important to keep your skin protected from the harmful rays of the sun.

July is known as UV Safety Month; therefore, it’s a great time to learn more about safe sun exposure, including what the UV index means, when you should avoid being in the sun, and how it can play a role in the development of skin cancer. For most people, summer fun includes summer sun. As you soak up those warm rays, however, keep in mind that prolonged exposure to the ultraviolet (UV) radiation of the sun can be harmful to your skin. 

Male or female, young or young at heart, if you use skincare products it’s safe to assume you’re committed to keeping your skin healthy and attractive. However, some of the products you rely on to achieve those goals may actually increase your risk of sunburn – which can put you at a greater risk of developing skin cancer. It can also make your skin show more wrinkles, sunspots and other signs of premature aging.

Four Products That Can Cause Sun Sensitivity

Below are four types of products you may be using that are known to cause sun sensitivity and could increase your likelihood of sunburn, especially if you’re not using SPF.