How to Prevent Sunburn

• Prevention - Reduce Sun Exposure:
  • Try to avoid all sun exposure between 10 am and 3 pm.
  • You can get a sunburn while swimming. Water only blocks the ultraviolet radiation a little. 
• Prevention - Clothing:
  • Wear a wide-brim hat; it protects your face and neck from the sun.
  • Wear shirts with long sleeves when outdoors and pants that go down to at least your knees.
• Prevention - Use Sunscreen:
  • Apply sunscreen to areas that can't be protected by clothing. Generally, an adult needs about 1 oz of sunscreen lotion to cover the entire body.
  • You should reapply the sunscreen every 2-4 hours. You should also reapply after swimming, exercising, or sweating.
  • A sunscreen with a rating of SPF 15 to 30 should be used. Sunscreens with ratings higher than 30 provide minimal additional protection.
  • Sunscreens help prevent sunburn, but do not completely prevent skin damage. Thus, sun exposure can still increase your risk of skin aging and skin cancer.