Spend Time Outside and Stay Sun-safe

It’s natural to want to get outside as the weather warms up. And it's safe, too, as long as you protect your skin.

Ultraviolet (UV) rays – from the sun and other sources like tanning beds – are the number 1 cause of skin cancer. Too much exposure can also cause sunburn, eye damage, and premature wrinkles. Staying in the shade, shielding your skin with clothing, and using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30 can help lower your risk.

Stay sun-safe every day

• Check the UV Index when planning your day: The UV Index reports the strength of UV rays on a scale from 1 to 11+. The higher the number, the greater your risk of UV ray exposure and skin damage from the sun. Take steps to protect your skin when the UV index is high.
• Seek shade: Limit your exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when UV rays are strongest.
• Cover up: When you are out, wear clothing and a wide-brimmed hat to protect as much skin as possible. Protect your eyes with large framed or wrap-around sunglasses that block at least 99% of UV light.
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher: Apply 30 minutes before going outside, reapply at least every 2 hours and  after swimming or sweating.
• Avoid tanning beds, booths, and sunlamps: They can cause long-term skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.

Make the most of your sunscreen

While you should use sunscreen every day, it’s even more important during the summer, when the days are longer, the sun is stronger, and it’s easier to spend more time outdoors. When choosing sunscreen, read the label before you buy.

US Food and Drug Administration regulations require the labels on sunscreens to follow certain guidelines.

Choose sunscreen with broad-spectrum protection

Choose a sunscreen with “broad-spectrum” protection. These sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Both UVA and UVB rays can damage skin and cause skin cancer so it is important to choose a sunscreen that protects from both.  Only products that pass a test can be labeled “broad spectrum.” Products that aren’t broad spectrum must carry a warning that they only protect against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging.

Choose sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or above

Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. The SPF number is the level of protection the sunscreen provides against UVA and UVB rays. Higher SPF numbers do mean more protection, but the higher you go, the smaller the difference becomes. For example, SPF 15 sunscreens filter out about 93% of UVB rays, while SPF 30 filters out about 97%. SPF 50 blocks about 98%, and SPF 100 about 99%. No sunscreen protects you completely. The FDA requires any sunscreen with an are not broad-spectrum or have an SPF below 15 to carry a warning that it only protects against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging.

Reapply sunscreen if you spend time in the water

“Water resistant” does not mean “waterproof.” No sunscreens are waterproof or “sweat-proof,” and manufacturers are not allowed to claim that they are. If a product’s front label says it is water resistant, it must specify whether it lasts for 40 minutes or 80 minutes while swimming or sweating. For best results, reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours and even more often if you are swimming or sweating. Sunscreen usually rubs off when you towel yourself dry, so you will need to put more on.

Check your sunscreen's expiration date

Before using sunscreen, check its expiration date. Most sunscreens are good for at least 2 to 3 years. Sunscreens that have been exposed to heat for long periods, if they were kept in the car all summer for example, may not work as well.

Remember that no sunscreen protects you completely. Be sure to also seek shade and cover-up when you are outside in the sun. 

Learn more

Learn more about sun safety from the American Cancer Society:

• Be Safe in the Sun
• What Factors Affect UV Risk
• Skin Cancer Research Highlights