Sun Safety

It's okay to have fun playing in the sun as long as you protect yourself. How do you do it?

Watch the clock. Stay out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.

Make it a routine. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day.

Choose SPF 15. Whenever you go out, use a sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher.

Reapply. If you're out in the sun between 10 and 4, make sure you slather on more sunscreen (even the waterproof kind) every 2 hours.

Seek shade. Play in the shade whenever you can.

Watch out for the pool. Try to stay away from swimming pools and snow, which reflect the sunlight. (Reflected light can burn your skin even faster.)

Cover up. Wear long pants and shirts with sleeves. If the sun can't get to you, it can't hurt your skin!

Wear a hat. Choose one with a wide (4-inch) brim to protect your face and neck.

What to look for in your next bottle of sunscreen.
If there's one thing dermatologists would like you to know it's this: Use a sunscreen everyday. It's a lot easier to choose (and use) a sunscreen if you know what to look for. Keep your eyes open for these words on your next bottle of sunscreen:

SPF (Sun Protection Factor).
You should use an SPF 15 sunscreen every day, since that number would block most of the sun's rays. (If you'll be out in the sun for more than an hour, though, use an SPF 30.) If you'll be sweating a lot, you may want to use an SPF 30 on your face no matter what, because the sweat will thin it down to an SPF 15 fast!

PABA or PABA-free.
PABA (short for para-aminobenzoic acid) is used in many sunscreens. It works well, but some people are allergic to it. If you're allergic to PABA, use a PABA-free sunscreen instead.

Broad spectrum.
The sun shoots off two different rays that affect your skin: UVA and UVB.
UVA rays make your skin wrinkle and may cause skin cancer. UVB rays burn. A broad-spectrum sunscreen helps protect your skin from both rays.



Waterproof.
Waterproof sunscreens aren't just important when you're swimming and windsurfing-they also stay on longer when you sweat. So if you're active, in or out of the water, a waterproof product may be right for you.

Lotion, cream or gel.
The type of sunscreen you choose depends on which you like best. You may want to use a cream on your face, since gels can sting around your eyes. If you have acne, try a light texture sunscreen first. (Apply a thick layer, so it will protect you better.)

If you have acne, a waterproof sunscreen could make your skin break out. Try re-applying your regular sunscreen more often, instead.