Summer is all about the fun.  School is out, vacations are planned and we’re ready to enjoy the sun.  And, who doesn’t want to be outside jumping in the pool, grilling in the backyard and bringing the family together for a picnic reunion?  While summer means fun in the sun, make sure you’re not getting too much of a good thing.

We want you to avoid the harmful consequences of overexposure and protect yourself from the sun.  Too much sun can lead to sunburns, premature aging of the skin, wrinkling, and skin cancer.

Did you know that the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.  are the most hazardous for UV exposure in the continental United States, especially during late spring and early summer?

Sunscreen

•  For the best protection against sun use sunscreen with a protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection.
•  Once is not enough!  During the day and with all of your various outdoor activities, your sunscreen wears off. You will need to reapply it again if you stay out in the sun for more than two hours, and after you swim.  If you’re working outside and perspiring, you will need to reapply as well.
•  Check the sunscreen’s expiration date. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of no more than three years, but its shelf life is shorter if it has been exposed to high temperatures.
• Darker colors provide more protection than lighter colors

Dark skin needs sunscreen too.

Clothing

• It may sound hot and restrictive, but long sleeved shirts protect you from too much exposure.

• Going shirtless or too much skin exposure is not a good thing during the mid-day summer sun.

• Woven fabrics keep you cool and protect you from the sun’s UV rays

• Wear long pants to protect the skin on your legs.  Most of us do not think of overexposure on our legs, but it can happen
• Darker colors provide more protection than lighter colors

• Wear a beach cover-up

Everyone should cover up when on the beach.

Hats

• Choose a hat with a wide brim to cover your head, face, ears and the back of your neck.

• Canvas works best to protect you from UV rays. Skip the straw hats with holes and spaces where sunlight can shine through.

• A darker hat may offer more UV protection.

• Our favorite hat – the baseball hat does not provide enough protection. When wearing one, you should also protect your ears and the back of your neck by wearing clothing that covers those areas, using sunscreen with at least SPF 15, or by staying in the shade.

This hat by Blu Bandoo keep you cool and protected.

Sunglasses

• Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts.

• You also want to protect the skin around your eyes. Wear sunglasses with wider frames to cover and wrap around your eye area.

• Choose sunglasses which protect 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible.

These ladies are wearing their sunglasses and protecting their eyes.

Shade

Reduce your exposure by planning to take cover in the shade.

During beach time, plan to bring along umbrellas, tents and other shade covers sold in the market today.

Reduce skin damage when you can take cover during midday hours.

CDC recommends sun protection and other ways to stay healthy when traveling.