Hi, Robins & Morton team!
My dad is a very wise and smart man. In his 61 years of life, he has gained so much wisdom and respect from everyone he meets. And much like all of you, he spends a lot of time in the sun. Despite his infinite wisdom, every time I go visit my parents in these lovely summer months, he is as red as a tomato. Without fail, I badger him to PLEASE wear sunscreen and protect his skin.
At Robins & Morton, we call ourselves family. As we drift into summer, I will badger all of you like I badger my own family. Here’s your annual reminder to please wear sunscreen. These summer months are hot, and it’s more important than ever to protect your skin.
Skin cancer is on the rise and is the most common type of cancer in the US. According to the FDA, about 4.3 million people are treated for basal cell cancer and squamous cell cancer in the US every year.
Let’s talk about why it’s important to protect your skin. You can lower your risk of:
- Sunburn – Ouch! I can’t tell you how many times I have gotten burnt on the first day of my Florida trip and had to avoid the sun for the remainder of the trip. No one wants to hobble around with blistered skin.
- Skin Cancer – Skin cancer is so common because we don’t properly protect ourselves from harmful UV rays. The sun is an amazing thing – gives us vitamin D, promotes better sleep and helps sustain emotional wellbeing. But too much of a good thing can be harmful.
- Early Skin Aging – Too much exposure to the sun can cause early onset of wrinkles and sunspots. It can also be very harmful to your eyes.
An important note: people of all skin tones and nationalities are at risk for sun damage. Although fair-skinned people might be more at risk, no one is totally safe from too much exposure to UV rays.
Ways to protect from sun damage:
- Sunscreen – as obvious as it may seem, please remember to wear your sunscreen and reapply after two hours.
- Protective gear – Long sleeve shirts and hats are a must. Bonus: the company store has sun-protective long sleeve shirts. The first person to email emma.lang@robinsmorton.com with the phrase “I wear sunscreen like it’s my job” gets a free one! Since many of you are already wearing hard hats, please remember to wear a cap when you’re not on the jobsite. We want you protected on and off the job! 😊
- Sunglasses – Let’s protect our eyes from harmful UV rays while we are at it. Also, squinting because of the sun for long periods of time can cause severe headaches.
You are more at risk for harmful UV effects if you have:
- pale skin
- blond, red, or light brown hair
- been treated for skin cancer
- a family member who has had skin cancer
**Please note that sunscreen is an HSA eligible expense**