Sun Protection Tips

Limit your sun exposure during midday - Ultraviolet rays are most intense during midday, which is usually between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM. Try to plan your activities out of the sun at these times. If you must be outdoors, always make sure you have enough sun protection.

UV radiation can also pass through water, so don't think you are safe while swimming or doing other aquatic activities. Make sure to be especially careful when at the beach or in the snow. Sand and snow both reflect sunlight and increase the amount of UV radiation you receive.

Cover Up - When out in the sun, cover as much skin as possible with protective clothing like long-sleeved shirts, long pants or long skirts. Dark colors offer more sun protection than light colors by preventing more UV rays from reaching your skin. Tightly woven fabrics offer better coverage than loosely woven clothing.

If you can see through the fabric than UV rays are coming through too! Also try to stay dry, as dry clothing generally protects you better than wet. Fabrics with great sun protection are usually lightweight, comfortable, and protect against exposure when wet.

Look for clothes with an UPF rating - UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor . UPF is a measure of total ultraviolet radiation (UV) blocked, both UVA and UVB. UPF rated clothes often have a tag with the designated rating for that garment. Check the following chart for an explanation of what these ratings mean:

Classification Category	UPF Range	UPF Values Allowed on Labels	Approximate % UV Blocked
Good UV Protection	15 - 24	15 and 20	93.3% - 95.8%
Very Good UV Protection	25 - 39	25, 30 and 35	96.0% - 97.45%
Excellent UV Protection	40 - 50+	40, 45, 50, 50+	97.5% - 98.0%

The best fabrics for sun protection are:

Blue or black denim jeans
100% polyester
Shiny polyester blends
Satin-finish silk of any weight, even very thin silk
Tightly woven fabrics
Unbleached cotton

The worse fabrics for sun protection are:

Polyester crepe
Bleached cotton
Viscose
Knits, especially loosely woven materials
Undyed, white denim jeans
Threadbare, worn fabrics

Wear a hat - Try to wear a hat with at least a 2 - 3 inch brim all around. It will protect areas often exposed to the sun, such as the neck, ears, eyes, forehead, nose and scalp. A baseball cap provides sun protection for the front and top of the head but not the back of the neck or the ears - where skin cancers commonly develop.

Use sunscreen with a SPF of 15 of higher - Look for sunscreen labeled with "broad-spectrum" as they protect against UVA and UVB radiation. Some cosmetics are also considered sunscreen products if there labels clearly state they contain sunscreen.

Experts recommend products with a Skin Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher. The level of sun protection is indicated by the number of SPF. A sunscreen with SPF 4 stops 75% of the UV rays while a SPF 15 stops 93%. It is important to remember that sunscreen does not provide complete sun protection. While using a SPF 15 correctly, you will get the equivalent of 1 minute of burning UV rays each 15 minutes you spend in the sun. So, 8 hours in the sun wearing your SPF 15 sunscreen is the same as spending 32 minutes unprotected.

Sunscreen products labeled "waterproof" offer sun protection for at least 80 minutes even when swimming or sweating. While products labeled "water resistant" may only protect for 40 minutes. Expiration of most sunscreen products occurs within two to three years.

To achieve maximum sun protection you should apply sunscreen 20 to 30 minutes before going outside - be generous! Try to apply sunscreen every 2 hours for the best results. And don't forget to reapply sunscreen to maintain your sun protection if swimming or sweating.

Wear sunglasses that help block UV rays - To decrease your chances of developing eye diseases caused by inadequate eye protection, invest in glasses that block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB radiation. Darker glasses are generally better because the UV protection comes from an invisible chemical applied to the lenses, not from the color or darkness of the lenses. Large-framed wraparound sunglasses protect your eyes from all angles. Children need smaller versions of real, protective adult sunglasses - not toy sunglasses.

Avoid sunlamps and tanning booths - Many people think that the UV rays of tanning beds are harmless. This isn't true . Tanning beds emit UVA and UVB rays which both cause serious skin damage and contribute to formation of skin cancers.

Check your skin regularly - By examining your skin regularly you can improve your chances of finding precancerous skin conditions and skin cancer. The earlier you see signs and meet with your doctor, the greater your chances for simple and successful treatment. Signs to look for are changes in size, texture, shape, and color of blemishes or a sore that will not heal. You can also ask your doctor to check your skin during routine checkups.