A Sunburned Nation

With summer quickly approaching, words like "sunburns," "sunscreen" and "suntans" get tossed around more frequently. Tropical places, like Hawai‘i, use them all year round. So that's why it's especially important to lather up in the islands and don't be like the hundreds who admitted to getting sunburned in the last year, according to a recent government survey.

Find shade and lather on the screen for extra protection in the sun.

In fact, the percentage has increased since the last time the survey was conducted in 2005 – going from 45 to 50 percent. American adults under 30 say they got at least one sunburn the year before, which is much worse than it was five year ago. And although I sure hope you won't be going to a tanning salon while in Hawai‘i, I found it interesting that the study also showed women in their 20s go at least twice a month on average.

The increased rate of sunburns suggests that people aren't putting on enough sunscreen or are not reapplying it thoroughly. You should reapply every couple of hours to be safe, even if your bottle says waterproof or sweat-proof. I cannot stress that enough. Skin color doesn't matter, as the study also reveals. So it's especially important for dark-skinned people, like myself, to remember to wear sunscreen and protective sun gear.

Why? Because sunburns suck! And I'd imagine skin cancer does, too. So why risk it? Experts point out that one blistering burn can double your risk of getting melanoma, which is a deadly form of skin cancer. Be smart and protect yourself when you're on vacation. Leave with wonderful memories and not a sunburn!

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Posted by Alyssa S. Navares Follow me on Twitter @Uamalie87

Published by Bruce Fisher

Since 2006 Bruce Fisher has been publishing the Hawaii Vacation Blog and the Hawaii Vacation Connection Podcast which, create daily content about Hawaii Travel and Tourism. This Blog is the only online resource providing Hawaii-based information aimed at travelers seven days per week. Postings reflect the Hawaiian Islands, their culture and their lifestyle as accurately and thoroughly as possible.

Entry Filed under: How to Hawaii,Ocean

May 12th, 2012