It is good for us to get outside. However, sun exposure can have very negative effects on our skin, including sunburn, wrinkles and other skin damage, and skin cancer. Using sunscreen is one of the easiest ways to protect your skin. Selecting and applying the right type of sunscreen for your skin will help protect you from sunburn and other skin damage.

You need to use sunscreen if you spend any time outdoors during daylight hours. Regardless of skin type, the sun's energy penetrates deeply into the skin and damages DNA of skin cells. This damage may ultimately lead to skin cancer. Many people working outside, such as construction and survey workers, are especially susceptible to skin damage. Children or teenagers who experience at least two blistering sunburns are at increased risk of developing skin cancer later in life.

Selecting the Right Sunscreen Sunscreens work by absorbing, reflecting or scattering ultraviolet (UV) light. UVA and UVB rays from the sun cause skin damage. The sun protection factor (SPF) is a measurement of the amount of UVB protection — the higher the number, the greater the protection. For example, an SPF 30 filters about 97 percent of UVB rays. Select a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Use a higher SPF on your face and hands, which are more likely to be overexposed to the sun during the day. Look on the ingredient labels for these effective sunblock agents: oxybenzone, sulisobenzone, avobenzone (Parsol 1789), ecamsule, titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Choose water resistant sunscreens as they offer more protection against washing off in water or when perspiring heavily. Most sunscreens have a shelf-life of about three years. If there is an expiration date, discard the sunscreen after that date.

How Should I Use Sunscreen? Apply “liberally”, which means about 1 ounce —a good palm-full— to cover all exposed parts of the body. To maximize protection, apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going outdoors, rub in well and reapply every two hours. Sunscreen should be used with other protective measures, such as limiting sun exposure and covering your skin. For the most complete sun protection, use all three of these methods:

• Avoid or limit exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Because the sun's rays are strongest during these hours, try to schedule outdoor activities for other times of the day.
• Cover up. Wear a broad-brimmed hat and clothing that covers your arms and legs.
• Use sunscreen frequently and liberally. Use it even on cloudy or hazy days as UV rays can penetrate cloud cover.

Adapted from Mayo Clinic