The sun’s strong rays can damage our skin in as little as 15 minutes.
Sun damage, of course, can lead to skin cancer and other health concerns.
Protect yourself this summer (and year-round) by following these sun safety tips from the Centers for Disease Control:
- Wear sunscreen. This is a no-brainer and a message we’ve been hearing for years. Use a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15 and reapply often. Be sure to wear sunscreen on cloudy days, as well.
- Wear protective clothing. Even though it’s hot, long sleeves and pants can do wonders for protecting your skin from the sun. A wet T-shirt offers less protection than a dry one, however, and darker colors offer more protection than lighter ones.
- Wear sunglasses. Shades not only look cool, but they protect your eyes from harmful UV rays that can lead to cataracts.
- Wear a hat. Choose a canvas hat that covers your face, ears and back of your neck for the most protection.
- Seek the shade. Bring an umbrella to the beach or find a tree to hang out under. Even if you’re in the shade, however, it’s still a good idea to wear sunscreen.
For more information on sun safety, visit the CDC website.