Cuidado con el Sol!

It feels like it is a lot easier to find SPH 75 in Chile than an SPF less than 10, which is good news because twenty minutes in the afternoon and I am cooked. Along some beaches and public spaces there are advisory warnings for the strength of the sun, but many times they do not work or display the highest possible warning.

Unfortunately, that is probably not so much because there is greater concern for the skin as it is the sun is fierce. Whereas one would think that there is greater risk of skin cancer towards the south where the ozone hole extends, the rates of cancer are actually greatest in regions II (Antofogasta, the north), V (Valparaíso or Santiago to the ocean), and the Metropolitan Region (Santiago). In recent years, the amount of cases of skin cancer in Chile has more than doubled.

But in the southernmost regions of Chile one still has to be more careful. The National Corporation of Cancer, CONAC, warned that with a 1.2% decreased density of ozone within the same period two years ago, there is an estimated increased risk of 3- 4.5% of skin cancer. The springtime (or northern hemisphere fall), is when sunlight begins to shine in Antarctica and initiate catalytic ozone destruction, which makes it the most dangerous times in terms of ozone destruction. One can find daily UV warnings using the website http://www.indiceuv.cl/. Or you can safely assume that the sun is dangerous, particularly between 11:00 and 16:00, and always use sun protection.

A "SOLMAFORO" on the beach in Dichato that does not function. "Solmaforo" is a play on words, as 'Sol' = Sun and 'Semáforo' = stoplight. 

 

Alerts with the maximum amount of time one can be in the sun's exposure depending on skin color with suggestions. I burn much faster in Chile than in the US and need much more sun protection. 

Protect yourself from the sun. Although the ozone hole is in the south of the country, Santiago, has one of the highest rates of skin cancer, as well as Valparaíso and Arica, a city in the north.