by Jill Jewett

5 Tips to Protect Your Skin From The Sun 

As it warms up in Maine, a lot is going on outside. Temperatures rise, and the hot sun starts to make more of an appearance. Tanning is an activity that involves laying out in the sun to make one’s complexion darker. Many Mainers tan in the summer and even early spring if it’s warm enough. However, that doesn’t mean Mainers are protecting their skin. Here are five tips for everybody (not just those who lay out in the sun) to protect themselves from those beautiful but dangerous UV rays. 

  1. Shade 

It’s very important to remember that even though tanning feels wonderful, having healthy skin feels better. If you’re taking a trip to the beach, or even out to the yard, it’s not a bad idea to bring an umbrella or find a tree to sit under when you’re in the sun. 

  1. Clothing 

Whenever it’s possible, cover up when you’re in the sun! It’s proven that clothes tighter to the skin and clothes that cover more protect your skin from UV rays. If you’re at the beach, consider wearing a swimsuit cover or sun-protective swimwear. 

  1. Hat/Head Cover 

Believe it or not, your scalp can burn too! It’s very important to make sure you’re wearing a hat that covers your scalp and shades your face, ears, and the back of your neck. 

  1. Sunglasses 

This tip isn’t much for protecting your skin, but it is very important to protect your eyes from the bright sun. If you do not, the sun and its brightness can cause major damage to your eyesight. 

  1. Sunscreen 

This tip feels like a no-brainer unfortunately, most people forget to put sunscreen on and forget to reapply it about every hour. Make sure your sunscreen covers every part of your body exposed to the sun, it’s not expired, and it has a high SPF number, aim for something higher than 15. Do not fall for “tanning sunscreen.” This is a sunscreen with a lower SPF number. A common myth is that you will not tan if you have sunscreen on. However, this is not true! You still can get a nice tan, but also protect your skin. 

It’s important to remember to protect your skin from the sun to prevent skin cancer such as Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma. Always remember, you can still enjoy the sun and still protect your skin!