Celebrities are
wearing them, professionals are picking up the trend, and even British royals
have taken to using them. Hats are everywhere, and the reason why people are
using them might not be just to look good.
Hats and the Sun
Straw cowboy hats have become extremely popular;
you’ll even find them for sale in regular clothing shops in the mall. However,
one of the reasons they’re so popular is that one group endorses their use:
doctors, particularly dermatologists and oncologists. Doctors have been
prescribing hats — especially wide-brimmed ones — as a form of protection
against the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Hugh Jackman, most famous
for his role as Wolverine, said in an interview that he started wearing hats
after multiple melanoma scares. Melanomas and other types of skin cancer are
primarily caused by chronic exposure to UV radiation — mostly because of the
sun. Hats are effective in preventing UV rays from directly hitting the face.
This is especially important for celebrities and people who make use of their
looks to make a living.
You’ll Need More than Just a Hat
A hat gives you
adequate protection from UV radiation — but only for your face. You probably
won’t go around wearing hats every time you go outside, especially when
participating in any physical activity. Get the habit of wearing sunscreen. Even the lowest SPF 15 (sun
protection factor) sunscreen can protect you from 93 percent of harmful UV rays
while the higher SPF 50 can block 98 percent of UV radiation. If you drive to
work every day, you might need to have your car windows treated with UV
filtering film. The little bit of UV radiation you get from your daily trips
accumulates, and you might be seeing melanomas on the left side of your body
pretty soon. The large patio windows in your home can also be a source of
harmful UV rays. You can have them treated with colorless UV filtering film and
banish the fear of getting cancer right in your own home.
Are You at Risk?
Yes, everyone is
at risk. However, certain factors can determine if you have a higher risk of
developing skin cancer. The amount of your daily exposure to the sun, your skin
color, and the elevation of your locality are definite factors that affect your
risk. Constantly being outside due to your work or whatever reasons exposes you
to more UV radiation. You are also more vulnerable to the harmful effects of UV
radiation if you have fair skin. Every 1,000 feet of elevation can increase the
concentration of UV radiation, so if you live in Utah or Colorado, you’re more
vulnerable. Of course, if you are a celebrity or just particular about your
looks, you should be a little more careful since melanoma surgeries will leave
marks on your skin.
Wear a pin to
support cancer awareness, but wear a hat to prevent it. Don’t forget the
sunscreen, and make sure that those sneaky UV rays don’t get into your car or home.