Celebrate Don’t Fry Day on the Friday Before Memorial Day
Memorial Day signals the unofficial kickoff to summer, and the long weekend is the perfect excuse to finally get outdoors. But after a winter spent indoors, pale skin is almost guaranteed to burn.
Don’t Fry Day—celebrated the Friday before Memorial Day every year—is a reminder to protect your skin from the sun.
The day was the brainchild of Dr. Jeff Ashley of Sun Safety for Kids (SSK) and is sponsored by The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention.
The day’s motto is “Slip! Slop! Slap! … and Wrap!” So “Slip on a shirt, Slop on sunscreen, Slap on a hat, Wrap on sunglasses…”
Why is Don’t Fry Day Important?
The day reminds us to take simple steps to minimize exposure to damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. This is important for many reasons.
A Tan is Not Healthy
Despite years of warnings, some people still believe they look healthier with a tan. They think pale skin looks sickly or even “disgusting.”
Nothing could be further from the truth. A tan is a sign of damage to your skin. Victorian women had it right (at least as far as sun exposure goes): Cover that skin and don’t let it tan.
Tanning beds are not safer than the sun. The UV rays that give you a tan are the same no matter the source. So they’re also dangerous, no matter the source.
Melanoma Rates are Rising
Most cancer rates are falling, but not melanoma. It’s not even holding steady. Instead it’s rising.
It’s still not the most common skin cancer, but it is the most deadly.
The other two kinds (squamous cell and basal cell carcinomas) are less likely to kill you. But they’re not harmless. They can spread. And if you let them get too big, you can be left with some disfiguring scars from removal.
Skin Cancer is Mostly Preventable
Most cases of skin cancer are due to UV ray exposure.
So most cases of skin cancer can be prevented by protecting your skin. And it’s pretty simple to do:
- Wear sun screen at least SPF 30. Apply it 20 minutes before going out in the sun. Reapply after swimming, sweating or toweling off. And reapply at least every 2 hours no matter what.
- Wear hats to protect your face.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
- Try to stay out of direct sunlight as much as possible.
- Be especially careful at the beach, where sunlight reflects off the water and the sand. (In winter, sun also reflects off snow, increasing your risk for sunburn. Yes, really!).
Get more tips on preventing skin cancer here.
Everyone is at Risk from UV Ray Exposure
Yes, people with pale skin are most likely to burn. And those burns cause major damage that increases the risk of skin cancer. But even people with dark skin can get skin cancer.
Everyone needs to protect their skin.
Scroll down for some ideas on celebrating this sunny and safe unofficial holiday.
How to Celebrate Don’t Fry Day
Vow to protect your skin today and every day of the year.
If you don’t already have them, buy:
- Sunscreen (at least SPF 30)
- A hat with a wide brim
- Sunglasses labeled “UV 400,” which block out wavelengths up to 400 nanometers (which means they block out all UVA and UVB rays).
Learn more about sun safety. The National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has links to resources for health professionals, parents, educators, outdoor workers and more.
Learn how to do a skin self-exam to check for possible signs of skin cancer.
Check out the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention’s Facebook Page. Also The Skin Cancer Foundation on Facebook.
Of course, if you can manage to start your weekend early, you’re going to want to spend at least part of Don’t Fry Day outside. Just remember to follow the sun safety tips and don’t fry that skin!
