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Health in the News

The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage your skin in only 15 minutes. Over exposure to the sun’s harmful rays can result in sunburns which increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Use these simple steps to help prevent skin cancer.

Take Action!

Stay in the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
The sun’s rays are the strongest from mid-morning to late afternoon. Try to stay out of the sun during these hours.

Use sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher.
Use sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection. To get the most protection:

  • Wear sunscreen even on cloudy days. UV rays can still harm your skin through the clouds.
  • Plan ahead – put sunscreen on 30 minutes before you go outside.
  • Be sure to use enough sunscreen (a handful). Don’t forget to apply it to your lips, ears, hands, feet, and the back of your neck.
  • If you wear very light clothing, put sunscreen on under your clothes.
  • Put on more sunscreen every 2 hours and after you swim or sweat.

Cover up with long sleeves, a hat, and sunglasses.
Wear a long-sleeved shirt and long pants or a long skirt. A hat with a wide brim can help protect your face and neck.

The skin around your eyes is very sensitive. Wear wrap-around sunglasses to help protect your eyes and your skin from sun damage.

Avoid indoor tanning.
Tanning beds, tanning booths, and sunlamps are not any safer than tanning in the sun. There’s no safe way to get a tan.

Just like tanning in the sun, indoor tanning can cause skin cancer, wrinkles, age spots, and other damage to your skin and eyes.

For more information on being safe in the sun check these tips from the American Cancer Society, and more tips from the CDC on keeping kids safe in the sun.