5 Simple Sun Safety Strategies

You wouldn’t only brush your teeth after polishing off the last of the Halloween candy or indulging in your favorite dessert. So why would you only use sun protection when you go to the pool or to the beach?

Your skin gets a lot of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays while you do everyday things like walking in the park, mowing the lawn, or coaching your child’s soccer team—even on cloudy days. And getting too much UV radiation causes most cases of skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States.

Luckily, there are simple steps you can take to protect your skin every day and all year:

Come together. It was true before the Beatles sang it, at least as far as sun protection goes. The best way to safeguard your skin is to use more than one method. Sunscreen works best as part of a sun safety strategy that includes a wide-brimmed hat, protective clothing, sunglasses, and shade.

Plan your playtime. Avoid outdoor activities at times when the sun’s rays are strongest—typically late morning through mid-afternoon. And remember that the sun’s rays reflect off water, snow, and concrete, which can up your total UV exposure!
 

Need to “no” basis. There’s no such thing as a safe tan! Any time your skin darkens from UV rays, you raise your risk for skin cancer and signs of sun damage, like dark spots and wrinkles.
 

The sun covers everyone. UV rays can damage skin of all colors and tones, and sunburn can look and feel different for different skin types. But just one sunburn, especially in childhood, increases your chances of getting skin cancer in the future.

And

Don’t fake the bake! You may already know that tanning on purpose in the sun harms your skin. But you may not know that tanning beds also have high levels of damaging UV radiation, which make your skin darker. Indoor tanning won’t protect you from future sun exposure and increases your chances of getting sunburned.

Skin cancer can sometimes be deadly, and the treatment often leaves scars. Why take the risk? There are many ways to be sun safe. Find strategies that work for you and your family, so you can keep your skin healthy and still have fun!