Exposure to the sun and ultraviolet rays is the number one cause of skin cancer and skin aging (wrinkles, brown spots). A tan is a sign of skin damage, and there is no such thing as a "safe tan." Below are several steps they can be taken to protect your skin against sun damage.

Sun Avoidance

• Stay Indoors — When possible, avoid sun exposure during the most intense hours of the day, usually 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Monitor the UV Index — Try to schedule outdoor activities on days with a lower UV Index.
• Avoid tanning bed exposure — These bulbs release ultraviolet radiation similar to that from the sun.

Sun Protective Clothing

• Wide-Brimmed Hats — try to wear hats with a wide brim that goes all the way around the hat. Baseball caps protect the front of the face but leave the sides of the face and neck exposed.
• Clothing with a high SPF — there are several companies that manufacture clothing that is light weight and has a high SPF. Sometimes this clothing can be expensive therefore, one option is to buy a pullover that can be worn with multiple outfits.
• Sunglasses — in addition to protecting the skin it is important to protect the eyes from damaging ultraviolet rays.

Sunscreen

Sunscreens are products applied to the skin to help protect against the sun's ultraviolet rays. They come in various forms to include: creams, lotions, gels, sprays, sticks, and lip balms. Chemical sunscreens act by absorbing ultraviolet radiation and physical sunscreens act by reflecting ultraviolet radiation. It is recommended to use a broad spectrum sunscreen (protects against UVB and UVA) with an SPF of at least 30.

The FDA currently requires sunscreens to be measured by an SPF (sun protection factor). The SPF only measures UVB protection and currently there are no standards to measure UVA protection in sunscreens. The FDA recently set forth a new four-star rating system for UVA protection with one star symbolizing poor UVA protection and four stars representing the best available UVA protection. Look for sunscreens to start displaying this Star Rating system on their labels in the near future.

How to use sunscreen:

1. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to sun exposure so that it has a chance to penetrate the skin and begin working.
2. Apply enough sunscreen. It is recommended that you apply 2 ounces of sunscreen for the average person (one shot glass).
3. Reapply sunscreen every one to two hours or sooner if sweating heavily or swimming.