1. Avoid The Sun- The sun’s rays are the most direct between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. Also, be sure to avoid the sun when the UV Index is high in your area. The UV Index is a number from 0 to 10+ that indicates the amount of UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface during the hour around noon. The higher the UV Index, the greater your exposure to UV Radiation will be if you are outdoors. Don’t be fooled by cloudy skies. Clouds only block up to 20 percent of UV rays. UV rays can also pass through water. Remember, if you are at the beach or on the snow, sand and snow will reflect sunlight and increase the amount of UV Radiation you receive. Though everyone is at risk for damage as a result of excessive sun exposure, people with skin types I and II are at the highest risk.

2. Use Sunscreen- When deciding on a “sunscreen” or “sunblock”, make sure that the label states protection from both UVA and UVB radiation. These are referred to as broad spectrum products. Also look at the SPF or sun protection factor. The higher the number, the longer you can stay in the sun before burning. Experts recommend water-resistant or sweat-resistant broad spectrum products with SPF’s 15 or greater. Anything above 30 SPF, according to the FDA, may offer little additional benefit and simply expose you to higher levels of chemicals.

3. Wear a Hat- Baseball caps and visors provide only limited protection from the sun, but they are better than wearing nothing. It is better to wear a hat that has at least a 3 inch brim all around to protect your neck, ears, eyes, and scalp from UV exposure. Shade caps (a cap that looks like a baseball cap and has material draping down the sides and back) are also good protection.

4. Wear Sunglasses- Be sure to protect your eyes from sun damage. Find a pair that states they block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. You can’t guess the amount of protection based on the darkness of the glasses. UV protection from sunglasses comes from an invisible chemical applied to the lenses and has no bearing on the tint of the glasses themselves.

5. Take Cover- Most materials and colors in clothing absorb or reflect UV rays to some degree. Tightly woven cloth provides the best coverage from clothes. Avoid wearing wet clothes in the sun because the sun’s rays can more easily pass through.

6. Avoid Artificial Tanning- If you believe that the UV rays in tanning beds are harmless because the lights emit primarily UVA and little, if any, UVB, think again! UVA rays can cause serous skin damage too. Some scientists believe that UVA may be linked to the most serious form of skin cancer, melanoma. Because of sunlamps’ dangers, it is advised to avoid them.

There are also several products on the market that claim to give a tan without any UV radiation. These so–called “tanning pills” contain carotenoid color additives derived from substances similar to beta-carotene. The additives are distributed throughout the body into the skin, making it orange. The FDA has not approved use of these additives in tanning agents and if consumed at high levels, may be harmful. The main ingredient in the tanning pills, canthaxanthin, can deposit in the eyes as crystals, which can result in injury to the eye and impaired vision.

Bronzers are products made from color additives approved by the FDA that stain the skin when applied and can be washed off with soap and water. Extenders are products that interact with protein on the surface of the skin to produce color. The color wears off after a few days.

7. Check Your Skin Regularly- Regularly performing self skin care exams can improve your chances of finding precancerous skin conditions. Become familiar with all of your birthmarks, moles and blemishes so that you can easily identify any changes in their appearance. Signs to look for are changes in size, texture, shape, and color of a blemish or a sore that does not heal. If you notice any of these changes, so your doctor. When doing you self exam, do not forget those hard to see areas such as your back, the back of your neck, scalp, and even your buttocks.

Fitzpatrick Skin Type
Skin Type Tanning and Sunburning History
I Always burns, never tans, sensitive to sun exposure
II Burns easily, tans minimally
III Burns moderately, tans gradually to light brown
IV Burns minimally, always tans well to moderately brown
V Rarely burns, tans profusely to dark
VI Never burns, deeply pigmented, least sensitive