How to stay safe while having fun in the Sun!

Summer is a great time to get outside and enjoy the beautiful weather, take vacations and soak up some Sun. Here we provide some tips on staying safe while you are enjoying the warmest months.

1. Excessive exposure to the sun’s radiation can damage your skin, even on cloudy days. Always wear a sunscreen with an SPF (sun protective factor) of 15 or higher.
2. Choose a "broad-spectrum" sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB radiation. Make sure it has zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to protect against UVA radiation that penetrates more deeply and causes wrinkles, premature aging and possibly skin cancer.
3. Protection does not increase proportionally with a higher SPF number. SPF 2 will absorb 50% of ultraviolet radiation, SPF 15 absorbs 93% and SPF 34 absorbs 97%.
4. Using a cream, oil or lotion is a matter of personal choice, but remember that most oils do not contain sufficient amounts of sunscreen and usually have an SPF of less than 2. Expensive sunscreens are not necessarily better.
5. ook for a sunscreen that is waterproof or water-resistant, especially if you participate in outdoor physical activity.
6. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply often and follow the guidelines on the container. Gel sunscreens tend to sweat
   off and require more frequent application.
7. Children are vulnerable to harmful UV radiation; their little cells grow fast and that makes them susceptible to DNA damage from the sun. Teach them good sun protection early in life and consistently.
8. Wear eye protection such as sunglasses with total UV protection. Sunglasses without UV protection can be dangerous because they will not block harmful radiation from entering your eyes, which can lead to premature cataracts and other vision problems.