What is the best way to keep my face from getting too much sun while gardening?

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Question What is the best way to keep my face from getting too much sun while gardening?

Answer Skin cancer is the primary reason people want to reduce the amount of sun to their head. Skin cancer will kill nearly 8,400 people this year in the US. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer, causing more than 75 percent of all skin cancer deaths. A recent study showed that patients with melanomas of the head and neck were twice as likely to die from the disease as patients with melanomas on other areas.

There are 4 steps every gardener can take to reduce the harmful effect of the sun’s UVB and UVA rays. Number four, get to know your moles (not the ones in the lawn). Check for new moles and the stability of existing ones. Your doctor can tell you specifically what to look for.

Number three, wear sunscreen. Use a sunscreen with a SPF rating of 30 or higher, apply it 30 minutes prior to sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours. Most people apply half the amount necessary for adequate protection.

Timing is the number two way to reduce harmful exposure. Avoid being outside between 10am and 4pm. Most gardeners have sense enough to do their gardening when it is coolest – early morning or late in the day. Not only are these time periods more comfortable, they are also safer.

The number one way to reduce sun exposure to your scalp, nose, ears and neck is to wear a wide brimmed hat. Actually, you can also wrap a towel around your head, but it is much hotter. There are several factors to consider when choosing headgear. First, visors don’t count. They may look cool and keep some sun out of your eyes, but they leave your scalp, ears and neck vulnerable. Baseball caps are only slightly better. While wearing a baseball cap your ears, neck and half your face will still get fried. A properly shaped straw cowboy hat is almost perfect. The wide brim will shield your head completely. By adding a pair of sunglasses, you can further reduce reflected UVA and UVB rays from hitting your eyes. http://www.everydayhealth.com/skin-cancer/sun-protection-hats-to-prevent-skin-cancer.aspx

My grandma used to wear a bonnet. Most Amish women still wear bonnets when working outside (grandma was Methodist, not Amish). http://www.amishstuffstore.com/amishhats.html Hats, which conform to your head, are also very effective sun blockers. This type of hat has the added benefit of protecting your head from gnats, no-seeums and other biting critters.

Unfortunately, I don’t foresee the resurgence of bonnets, and men have grown attached to baseball caps. As opposed to bonnets, women have the option of wearing very stylish sun-blocking hats http://www.physicianendorsed.com/index.html . Men could also be stylish if they would follow my lead http://www.killerhats.com/cowestha5011.html .

For more information on skin cancer and protecting our next generation of gardeners, visit http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5104a1.htm If you don’t have internet access, call me at 910-893-7533 or email me at gpierce@harnett.org

There are a lot of similarities at the two ends of life’s spectrum – no teeth, no cares, no balance and no hair. Put a hat on your kid’s and grandparent’s head.

Gary L. Pierce

Horticulture Extension Agent

Harnett County