Routine Care & Wellness

Protect Yourself from the Sun

1. Avoid too much sunlight, wear protective clothing, and use sunscreen.

   In general, avoid the sun. These measures are especially important between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. Also avoid the sun when the UV Index is high in your area.

2. Use sunscreen with labels stating "sunscreen" or "sunblock."

   These should be applied approximately 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. It should be applied evenly on all exposed skin, including lips, nose, ears, neck, scalp (if hair is thinning), hands, feet, and eyelids, although care should be taken not to get it in the eyes because it can irritate them. If contact occurs, rinse eyes thoroughly with water.

   Sunscreens should not be used on babies younger than 6 months because their bodies may not be developed enough to handle sunscreen chemicals. Instead, use hats, clothing and shading to protect small babies from the sun. If you think your baby may need a sunscreen, check with your pediatrician.

3. Wear a hat.

4. Wear sunglasses.

   Sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage. The ideal sunglasses don't have to be expensive, but they should block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Check the label to see that they do. If there's no label, don't buy the glasses. And, don't go by how dark the glasses are because UV protection comes from an invisible chemical applied to the lenses, not from the color or darkness of the lenses. You may want to put sunscreen on the eyelids and around the eyes, too, even if you're wearing sunglasses. Sunglasses prevent UV rays from getting into the eyes; they won't help protect the skin around them.

5. Cover up.

   Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts, pants or long skirts as much as possible when in the sun. Most materials and colors absorb or reflect UV rays. Tightly woven cloth is best.Avoid wearing wet clothes, such as a wet T-shirt, because when clothes get wet, the sun's rays can more easily pass through. If you see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through, too.

6. Avoid artificial tanning with tanning beds that emit ultraviolet light.

7. Check your skin regularly.

   You can improve your chances of finding pre-cancerous skin conditions, such as actinic keratosis--a dry, scaly, reddish, and slightly raised lesion--and skin cancer by performing simple skin self-exams regularly. The earlier you identify signs and see your clinician, the greater the chances for successful treatment.

   The best time to do skin exams is after a shower or bath. Get used to your birthmarks, moles and blemishes so that you know what they usually look like and then can easily identify any changes they undergo. Signs to look for are changes in size, texture, shape, and color of blemishes or a sore that does not heal.