PREVENTION

Sunscreen: 

    UV rays can damage your skin in 15 minutes so you should put on sunscreen before you go outside. Don't forget to put a thick layer on all parts of exposed skin.

 Less than half of all teenagers use sunscreen.

How sunscreen works: 

    Most sun protection products work by absorbing, reflecting, or scattering sunlight. They contain chemicals that interact with the skin to protect it from UV rays. All products do not have the same ingredients; if your skin reacts badly to one product, try another one or call a doctor.

SPF:

    Sunscreens are assigned a sun protection factor (SPF) number that rates them in blocking UV rays. Higher numbers indicate more protection. You should use a sunscreen with at least SPF 15. Sunscreens labeled with SPFs as high as 100 are now available.

Reapplication:

    Sunscreen wears off so you should put it on if you stay out in the sun for more than two hours, after you swim, or do things that make you sweat. About a palmful of sunscreen should be used to cover the arms, legs, neck, and face of the average adult. 

CLOTHING:

Loose-fitting long-sleeved shirts and long pants made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection from the sun's UV rays. A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one. Darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors.

A baseball cap can protect the front and top of the head but not the back of the neck or ears, where skin cancer commonly develops. A darker hat may offer more UV protection.

SUNGLASSES:

Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection. Most sunglasses sold in the United States protect against UVA and UVB. Wrap-around sunglasses are the ones that work best because they block UV rays from sneaking in from the side.