LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Cesar Pineda and his crew are hard at work on the job, on site they can be out in the hot sun working all day.
“From the minute they get to the yard, then they get prepped to head out then they spend about 8 hours out here and a little bit of time on the way back so I would say about 8 to 10 hours a day,” Pineda said. “I think the sun is still strong in the colder months, it still burns so we manage to make sure the guys are always protected, even throughout the year.”
His team is always equipped with sunglasses, long sleeves, and a hard hat to protect themselves from the sun.
“Surprisingly it’s still a super hot summer that extended to the middle of October but I think the sun is still strong in the colder months, it still burns so we manage to make sure the guys are always protected, even throughout the year,” Pineda remarked.
With cooler temperatures on the way, dermatologist Dr. Kendall Egan said it’s still important to protect yourself from the sun because ultraviolet radiation is present year-round.
“The UV index here is much greater than other areas of the country. I think people tend to forget that where you can improve in terms of sun protection and sunscreen specifically here in Las Vegas is when you’re driving, you might not realize that you’re getting so much UV exposure through your windows,” Dr. Egan explained. “Even going into buildings like the grocery store, you’re going shopping, you’re still getting a significant amount of UV exposure.”
You’re also probably not wearing enough sunscreen. You should be using one ounce of sunscreen for your entire body, that’s enough to fill up a shot glass. Remember to reapply every two hours or more if you’re out swimming or breaking a sweat. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen on your ears, neck, and near your hairline too.
“The sunscreen bottles that you purchase are about 6 ounces and that should be about 6 applications. You shouldn’t be keeping those bottles for years. Over your lifetime is where you’re going to get your risk for skin cancer so it’s not going to be something you did last August or did this July, it’s going to be over your lifetime, how you’re protecting yourself from the sun,” Dr. Egan added.
Your genetics, how much melanin you have, and how much you protect yourself are all factors for skin cancer, so it’s key to protect your skin as much as you can. It’s also key to remember to apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to heading outside and use an SPF of 30 or higher.
