{"id":8520,"date":"2026-10-03T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-03T20:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8520"},"modified":"2026-10-03T20:30:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-03T20:30:00","slug":"a-dermatologists-guide-to-beating-uv-rays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8520","title":{"rendered":"A dermatologist\u2019s guide to beating UV rays"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2026-10-03T20:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

Why UV protection matters year round<\/h2>\n

Ultraviolet (UV) protection is important year\u2011round, not just in summer. UV radiation from UV rays<\/a> is one of the most common and most preventable causes of cancer in America. To highlight how daily sun exposure affects skin health, we spoke with Dr. Georgia G. Hughey, a resident physician in dermatology service at the G.V. (Sonny) Montgomery VA Medical Center<\/a>, about why UV protection matters and what Veterans can do to protect their skin.<\/p>\n

Hughey, who has been with VA for three years, sees the effects of UV exposure up close every day.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a dermatologist, UV awareness is important because I see firsthand how the effects of UV radiation accumulate over a lifetime,\u201d Hughey said. \u201cMany of the skin conditions I diagnose and treat, from premature aging to skin cancer, are largely preventable with proper sun protection and early education.\u201d<\/p>\n

A common misconception<\/h2>\n

One myth Hughey hears often from patients: \u201cI don\u2019t need sunscreen because I\u2019m only outside for a few minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMany patients don\u2019t realize that UV exposure is cumulative,\u201d she explained. \u201cEveryday activities\u2014walking the dog, driving, gardening or sitting near a window\u2014add up over time. Even short, repeated periods of unprotected sun exposure contribute to premature aging and increase the risk of skin cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Why UV awareness matters<\/h2>\n

UV radiation is the leading cause of most skin cancers, and the numbers are striking:<\/p>\n