Protect Your Skin: Protect Your Life

With Memorial Day around the corner, so are thoughts of picnics, pools, and lots of other outdoor fun. Unfortunately, its also a time when so many of us spend hours of time unprotected in the harmful rays of the sun. Although we should be thinking about sun protection all year round, most people don't even think about sunscreen until its time to break out the shorts. Even when we do use it, most of us don't use it properly. The fact is we can enjoy the beautiful summer sun and protect ourselves and our families too by being Sun Smart. Here are some guidelines from The American Academy of Dermatology to protect yourself from the sun.

1)Generously apply a water-resistant sunscreen- use a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or more that has broad spectrum (UVA & UVB) protection and reapply every 2 hours

2) Wear protective clothing- long sleeve shirts and pants, hats

3) Seek shade- especially between 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun's rays are the strongest

4) Use extra caution near water, snow and sand- reflect rays increasing sunburn

5) Get vitamin D safely- healthy diet and supplements; don't need to seek sun

6) Avoid tanning beds- UV light causes wrinkling and skin cancer

7) Check your birthday suit on your birthday- if you notice anything changing, growing or bleeding on the skin, see a dermatologist

For more information contact the American Academy of Dermatology
1-888-462-DERM or www.aad.org