Away. Stay away from the sun in the middle of the day, when the sun’s rays are the most damaging.
Block. Block the sun’s rays using a SPF 15 or higher sunscreen. Apply the lotion 30 minutes before going outside and reapply it often during the day. Sunscreens should not be used on infants under 6 months of age.
Cover up. Cover up with a long sleeve shirt and hat when in the sun. Use clothing with a tight weave to keep out as much sunlight as possible. Keep babies younger than 6 months out of direct sunlight at all times. Hats with brims are important.
American Academy of Dermatology
Too Much Sun Can be Bad for Your Skin and Can:
- Increase your chance of skin cancer
- Increase your risk of eye damage
- Cause your skin to wrinkle faster
The Best Ways to Protect Yourself From Too Much Sun are:
- Covering your skin and eyes
- Not staying out in the sun too long
Be careful of reflective surfaces like sand, pavement, and snow. Reflective surfaces can be up to 85 percent of the damaging sun rays. If you are on a reflective surface, even being under an umbrella may not protect you from the sun.
Wear sunglasses with UV protection. When you buy sunglasses, they should have a “UV protection” label.
Medications may cause extra sensitivity to the sun. Many over-the-counter and prescription medications increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays. Even if you have skin that tends not to burn easily, you can develop a severe sunburn in just minutes when taking certain medications.
For more, see How to Use Sunscreens
