If you use common sense and take care to be sun smart, you can safely play and work outdoors without increasing skin cancer risk or premature aging.  It’s never too late to start protecting your skin.

• Generously apply broad spectrum water resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or more to exposed skin.  Re-apply every 2 hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
• Wear protective clothing, such as long sleeved shirts, pants, a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses, when possible.
• Seek shade, when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 am and 4 pm.  If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
• Protect children from sun exposure by playing in the shade, wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen.
• Use extra caution near water, snow and sand, as they can reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the sun which can increase your chance of sunburn.
• Get vitamin D safely through a healthy diet and include vitamin supplements as necessary. Don’t seek the sun.
• Check your birthday suit on your birthday.  If you notice anything changing, growing or bleeding on your skin, have it checked.