Sun Safety Do's & Don'ts

Sun SafetyWe’re here to shed some light on the subject of sun safety: The sun is a natural source of vitamin D, but frequent overexposure to unprotected ultraviolet radiation (UV) causes most skin cancers. Sunlight is a major source of this UV radiation, but it may also come from artificial sources like tanning booths. The strength of the light and the length of the exposure determine just how much exposure to UV rays you might have had. So follow this list of Do’s and Don’ts to keep your skin healthy and beautiful!

Do: 
  • Seek the shade between 10AM and 4PM
  • Use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day
  • Use a sunscreen that filters out both UVA and UVB rays. Avoid tanning and UV tanning booths, even if your friends are doing it
  • Remember to reapply sunscreen after two hours outside, or immediately after swimming or sweating
  • Know your skin type. Take a quick skin type quiz at www.skincancer.org/school
  • Perform regular self-examinations to note changes in the skin and aid in the early detection of skin cancer
  • Have moles checked as part of any physical exam, and see the doctor if a mole or spot on your skin has changed.
  • Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens should be used on babies over the age of six months
Don't: 
  • Forget to apply sunscreen to those often missed spots like your ears, scalp, under your eyes, lips, the top of your hands, feet, shoulders, neck, behind your knees and especially your back!
  • Be fooled by a cloudy day—the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate through clouds and even a thick fog!
  • Forget melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, can run in families, so if a close family member has had melanoma, see a dermatologist once a year if you’re 10 or older, or earlier if you have many moles.
  • Leave the house before applying 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen to the entire body 30 minutes before going outside
  • Forget to wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, and a hat with a three inch-wide brim all around that can protect your face and neck. UV-blocking sunglasses are a must as well

This information was provided with permission by The Skin Cancer Foundation.