New Information: Tips

The following precautions should be taken to reduce the chances of you and your family getting skin cancer.

• Minimize the time you spend in the sun at midday and when the sun is at its strongest (between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.).
• Apply sunscreen. (link this point with Sunscreen Tips)
• Wear clothing that covers your body.
• Use wide-brimmed hats to shade your face.
• Use sunglasses to protect your eyes from the harmful UV rays.
• Avoid exposure to UV radiation from sunlamps or tanning parlors.
• Protect your children.(link this point with Protect Your Children)

Be especially careful if you have fair skin, freckles, or numerous moles; blond, red, or light-brown hair; blue, green, or gray eyes; a tendency to burn easily and to tan little or not at all; and a family history of skin cancer.

If you're not sure it's safe, do the shadow test to make an on-the-spot UV estimate. (link the words shadow test to Shadow Test)

Sunscreen Tips

The following tips will help you pick a sunscreen that is good for you.

• Choose a sunscreen that is SPF 15 or greater.
• Pick a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays.
• Read product labels. Look for a waterproof brand if you will be swimming or sweating.
• Buy a non-stinging product or one specially formulated for use on faces if you're using it on your face.
• Buy a PABA-free brand if you are sensitive to that sunscreen ingredient.
• If you have an oily skin or are acne-prone, select a water-based lotion.
• More expensive is not better. Although costly brands may smell and feel better

Protect Your Children

The following tips will help you protect your children.

• Limit outdoor activities between 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest.
• Don't forget there is reflective light in the shade.
• Babies less than 6 months old should not spend very much time in the sun. If they are in the sun, they should wear protective clothing, including a hat with a wide brim that shades their face and sunglasses that filter harmful UV rays.
• Babies and children more than 6 months old should always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a SPF of 15 or higher.
• Kids should wear photoprotective clothing and hats. A white T-shirt isn't good enough. A wet, light colored T-shirt protects him/her as much as his/her