Comprehensive looks at ways to be sun smart this summer that are often overlooked, as well as other ways people mistakenly put themselves at risk for skin cancer.
As summer arrives with its long days, barbecues, and vacations, the annual conversation about sun safety begins again with the team at Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Most people are familiar with the standard advice, which includes applying sunscreen before going outside, wearing a hat, and avoiding sunburns. Despite the widespread awareness of these basic precautions, skin cancer rates remain persistently high. Much of this disconnect stems from the fact that traditional sun safety advice often overlooks important details, reinforces common misconceptions, and relies on outdated assumptions.
Reducing the risk of skin cancer during the sunniest months of the year is greatly benefitted by looking beyond the obvious and well-known precautions. Effective prevention depends on recognizing the subtle ways that the environment, everyday habits, and even personal health choices influence exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. By understanding these often-overlooked risks, people can strengthen their defenses and enjoy summer more safely.
False Security of Clouds and Cool Weather
One of the most common mistakes people make is using temperature or visible sunshine to judge their risk of sun damage. A cool breeze or an overcast sky can create a misleading sense of protection. However, heat and UV radiation are not the same. Infrared rays produce warmth, but UVA and UVB rays are invisible and cannot be felt.
As much as 80 percent of the sun’s UV radiation can penetrate light cloud cover. In some cases, a phenomenon known as the broken-cloud effect can actually increase UV exposure. As sunlight passes around the edges of scattered clouds, the rays are reflected and scattered, sometimes producing higher UV levels than on a completely clear day. Likewise, a refreshing summer breeze cools the skin, masking the damage occurring beneath the surface. Relying on temperature instead of checking the local UV index often results in unexpected sunburns, a major contributor to melanoma later in life.
The Hidden Danger of Reflected UV Rays
When spending time outdoors, most people focus only on the sunlight coming directly from above. In reality, reflected UV radiation can significantly increase total exposure. Different surfaces reflect sunlight with varying intensity, exposing the skin from multiple directions without people realizing it.
Grass reflects relatively little UV radiation, but many popular summer environments are far more reflective. Dry sand can reflect up to 15 percent of UV rays, while the surface of the ocean or a swimming pool may reflect as much as 10 percent. As a result, sitting beneath a beach umbrella does not eliminate exposure, since reflected rays continue reaching the skin from the surrounding sand and water. Concrete sidewalks, light-colored patios, and even vehicle surfaces also reflect enough UV radiation to contribute to long-term skin damage. Effective protection means accounting for these less obvious sources of exposure.
Why Sunscreen Storage Matters
Most people understand the importance of applying sunscreen, but far fewer realize that improper storage can significantly reduce its effectiveness. During the summer, sunscreen is often left inside hot vehicles, exposed to direct sunlight on beach towels, or packed in overheated bags for hours.
High temperatures can cause active ingredients in chemical sunscreens, including avobenzone and oxybenzone, to degrade inside the bottle. As these compounds break down, the sunscreen loses both stability and its ability to block UV radiation. Heat can also cause the lotion’s emulsion to separate, resulting in uneven application that leaves portions of the skin poorly protected. To avoid this hidden problem, sunscreen should be stored with the same care given to perishable items. Keeping it in a cooler, shaded bag, or another temperature-controlled location helps preserve its protective effectiveness.
Hidden Exposure During Daily Travel
Many people associate skin cancer risk exclusively with outdoor recreation, overlooking the hours spent driving or sitting near large windows. While standard glass blocks most UVB rays, which cause sunburn, it allows much of the longer-wavelength UVA radiation to pass through. These rays penetrate deep into the skin, damaging collagen, accelerating aging, and increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Drivers often accumulate years of unnoticed UV exposure on the left side of the face, neck, and arm during routine commutes. Although most windshields are designed to block both UVA and UVB rays, side and rear windows typically provide much less UVA protection. Sitting beside a sunny office window or taking extended summer road trips without sunscreen gradually adds to the cumulative UV damage that may not become apparent until years later.
Medications That Increase Sun Sensitivity
An often-overlooked summer risk is the interaction between sunlight and certain medications, which is something that patients of Comprehensive Cancer Centers are made aware of by the oncology practice’s physicians and support staff. Many prescription drugs and common over-the-counter medications can cause photosensitivity, making the skin dramatically more vulnerable to UV radiation.
Certain antibiotics, blood pressure medications, acne treatments, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can all increase sun sensitivity. For someone taking these medications, even brief periods of sun exposure may trigger severe redness, blistering, or burns that would not normally occur. This heightened response also increases the rate of UV-induced cellular damage. Before spending extended time outdoors, it is wise to review medication labels and consult a physician or pharmacist about any potential photosensitivity warnings.
Body Areas People Commonly Miss That the Sun Hits
When applying sunscreen, people naturally focus on larger areas such as the face, back, chest, and legs. Unfortunately, several smaller parts of the body are frequently overlooked. Basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma commonly develop in these neglected regions because they receive repeated sun exposure over many years.
The tops of the ears, the back of the neck, and the delicate skin around the eyelids are often missed during hurried sunscreen application. The tops of the feet also become highly vulnerable during sandal season. Another commonly forgotten area is the lower lip. Unlike surrounding skin, the lips contain very little melanin, the pigment that provides limited natural protection against UV radiation. Years of sun exposure can lead to actinic cheilitis, a precancerous condition that may eventually progress to aggressive squamous cell carcinoma. Applying SPF lip balm and using a slow, systematic approach to sunscreen application helps eliminate these vulnerable gaps.
Clothing Is Not Always Enough for the Sun
Wearing clothing provides valuable sun protection, but not all summer fabrics offer the same level of defense. Many people assume that a lightweight cotton T-shirt provides sufficient protection simply because it covers the skin. In reality, a standard white cotton T-shirt often has Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) equivalent to less than SPF 10. Should the fabric become wet from sweat or swimming, that limited protection may be reduced by half.
UV radiation easily passes through loosely woven fabrics and lightweight materials. A simple way to evaluate clothing is to hold it up to a light source. If visible light passes easily through the fabric, UV rays can do the same. Choosing tightly woven fabrics, darker or brighter colors that absorb more UV radiation, or clothing specifically rated with a high UPF transforms ordinary summer clothing into a far more effective barrier against skin cancer.
By recognizing these often-overlooked aspects of sun exposure, people can approach summer safety with greater precision and confidence. Preventing skin cancer involves far more than avoiding sunburn. It requires understanding the cumulative, often invisible ways UV radiation interacts with daily life and making thoughtful adjustments that provide meaningful long-term protection.
For those who are outdoors in Southern Nevada this summer, Comprehensive Cancer Centers offers free sunscreen to residents and visitors throughout Southern Nevada. For a complete list, click here.
Comprehensive Cancer Centers Can Help
Physicians at Comprehensive Cancer Centers provide a variety of treatment options for patients who need oncology treatment for skin cancers in Southern Nevada. To schedule an appointment, please call 702-952-3350.
The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.