• Use a SPF 30 or greater year-round for all skin types, considering that fair-skinned people who sunburn easily may want to select a product with a higher SPF (sun protection factor)

• Choice of oils, gel, sprays, cream or lotion
  • Consider that most oils do not contain sufficient amounts of sunscreen (SPF2)
  • Gels tend to sweat off and need frequent reapplication
  • Spray, while easy to apply can be difficult to ensure complete coverage
    

• Consider a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen that provides protection from both UVA and UVB protection
  
  
• Look for UVB absorbers such as Salicylates and Cinnamates.
  
• Remember some people are sensitive to PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid) used as a UVB protectant and this can stain clothing. Newly refined PABA esters (glycerol PABA, Padimate A and Padimate O) are now on the market.

• Your sunscreen should also protect against UVA radiation, these rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are suspected of being the culprits in premature aging and wrinkling of the skin.

• The SPF rating on sunscreen only refers to the products ability to screen or block out UVB rays.  Currently there is no FDA-approved rating system to measure the UVA protection levels.

The rating is based on using 1 ounce of product per full body application. 
So if your bottle of sunscreen is 4 ounces that means you would use about ¼ of that bottle to get that rating each time you use it all over!

• Currently, sunscreens are measured by their sun protection factor (SPF) which is only a measure of UVB protection. Make sure your sunscreen says it is broad-spectrum and also protects against harmful UVA rays.
  
  
• Statistically, most people only use about 1/3 of the recommended amount of sunscreen. For example, if you were to apply an SPF 30 sunscreen to your skin, the actual volume of sunscreen that is typically used is only equal to an SPF 10.
  
  
• Remember that water, humidity, and sweating decrease the effectiveness of sunscreen and numerous reapplications are necessary.

The answer is simple... everyday, and year-round! 

Make the use of sunscreen a part of your daily routine, and apply before you leave your home.

Any time you are likely to spend 20 minutes or more exposed to the sun you should use a sunscreen.  Most people will receive this amount of sun exposure while performing routine activities. Sunscreen can be applied under makeup and there are also cosmetic products available that contain a sunscreen for daily use. 

Because sun protection is the principal means of preventing premature aging and skin cancer, many regular moisturizers now contain a SPF 15. Sunscreen used on a regular basis actually allows some repair of damaged skin.

Because the sun's reflective powers are great - 17 percent on sand and 80 percent on snow - don't reserve the use of these products for only sunny summer days. Even on a cloudy day 80 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays pass through the clouds. Skiers beware, ultraviolet radiation increases 4 percent for every 1,000-foot increase in altitude.

• Normal summer clothing does not fully protect your skin from the sun.  They rate less than SPF 8 when wet.

• The clothing uses fabric to protect your skin from damaging UVA & UVB rays and can be worn instead of using sunscreen on those areas.

• But don't forget to wear sunscreen on the uncovered areas like the neck and ears.

• The fabric is rated according to an Ultraviolet Protection Factor ("UPF") similar to "SPF" for Sunscreen and is usually greater than SPF 30.
  

• UPF is like SPF except UPF rates fabric protection against both UVA and UVB.
  
  
• A garment with a UPF of 50 only allows 1/50th of the UV radiation falling on the surface of the garment to pass through it.  In other words, it blocks 49/50ths or 98% of the UV radiation.  Factors such as tighter knit or weave, thickness, and dark color can increase UPF. 

Sun protective clothing.....

• Does not need to be reapplied
  
• Does not wash off
  
• Is long lasting - can be washed and dries quickly
  
• Has no known skin reactions from UV-absorbing compounds in the fabrics
  
• Is a "rash guard" against surfboard and body-board rashes
  
• Saves money! The clothing actually reduces the need for expensive sunscreens and lotions and pays for itself quickly
  
• Is available in fun and innovative designs from many manufacturers
  
• Check to see if the product comes with a endorsement from a dermatologist, or skin cancer organization
  
• If you are interested in finding out more about Sun Protective Clothing, please check out Solumbra by Sun Precautions http://www.sunprecautions.com/

• 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer at some point during their lifetime
  
• 5 or more sunburns during your lifetime doubles your risk of developing skin cancer
  
• Sun protection is especially important in children because sunburns in early life can lead to skin cancer in adulthood
  
• 80% of lifetime sun damage occurs in childhood (prior to the age of eighteen)*
  
• Melanoma is the second most common cancer in women ages 20-30; 1 person dies almost every hour (every 62 minutes) from this disease
  
• Both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays can cause skin cancer. You can protect your skin and eyes in many different ways including sunscreen, seeking the shade, hats, sunglasses and sun protective/ultraviolet light protective clothing.

*Kids rarely follow proper sunscreen application either when they play outdoors, ride bikes, go to recess or play on the playground.