6 simple ways to protect your skin in the sun
6 simple ways to protect your skin in the sun It only takes 15 minutes in the sun to damage your skin. Before you head outside to enjoy the warm weather and sunshine, here’s what you need to know to about sun safety and protecting your skin. 1. Always use sunscreen. Sunscreens are assigned a sun protection factor (SPF) number that rates their effectiveness in blocking ultraviolet (UV) rays. Higher numbers indicate more protection. You should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15, even on cool or slightly cloudy days. Broad-spectrum on a product’s label means the sunscreen filters out ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation exposure. UVA rays penetrate deep into the skin and are mostly responsible for premature aging and skin cancer. UVB rays affect the surface of the skin and cause sunburn. Don’t forget to put a thick layer of sunscreen on all parts of exposed skin. Get help for hard-to-reach places like your back. Here are some additi...