1. The shade won’t save your skin from sun damage. Many people think that if they stay in the shade, they’ll shield their skin from UV rays. But, while the shade can help, it can also give people a false sense of security. In fact, according to dermatologist Leslie Baumann, M.D., on her Yahoo! Health blog, The Skin Guru, the shade only has an SPF of about 5 to 7. And that’s just not enough. Dr. Baumann recommends applying SPF 15 as the “absolute minimum” every day. To be on the safe side, though, she and other experts suggest wearing SPF 30 daily.
2. An umbrella helps but can also hurt. Like seeking the shade, having an umbrella on the beach can be a good thing, but it can also be deceiving, making you think that you’re safer than you really are. According to dermatologist Jessica Wu, M.D., on her Everyday Health blog, “Up to 84 percent of UV rays can bounce off the sand and water, and reach you even under the umbrella.” So, even if you’re sitting under an umbrella, be sure to reapply your sunscreen every two hours – or sooner, if you’re sweating or swimming.
3. Your beauty routine can make you extra susceptible to sun damage. If you burn easily, you may be unknowingly applying products to your face and body that can actually accelerate UV damage. For instance, retinoids and products with glycolic acid, salicylic acid or retinol increase your sensitivity to the sun. Dr. Baumann says to avoid using these ingredients a week before you plan on spending time in the sun. If you use these products regularly, double-check with your dermatologist to help you develop an effective sun care routine.
4. Your medication can make you more sun-sensitive, too. Some antibiotics, birth control pills, diuretics, antihistamines, antidepressants and even natural remedies – such as St. John’s wort – can leave you at greater risk for sunburn and blotchiness, California dermatologist Andrew Kaufman, M.D., tells Prevention magazine. To keep skin safe, read the label to see if your medication leads to sun sensitivity or talk it over with your physician or pharmacist.
5. Clothing isn’t created equal when it comes to SPF. According to dermatologist Susan H. Weinkle, M.D., a white cotton t-shirt provides an SPF of 7 while a dark denim shirt with long sleeves can provide about SPF 1,700! Of course, when it’s scorching out, the last thing you want to do is put on heavy, too-hot clothing. In general, clothing that’s tightly woven and dark is best. To see how your fabrics fare, hold them up to the light or a window, Dr. Weinkle suggests. If a good amount of light goes through, that article of clothing just isn’t going to provide adequate protection. Also, keep in mind that wet clothes lose their SPF. Consider sun-protective clothing and accessories with a UPF rating (Ultraviolet Protection Factor).
6. Stick to the “shadow rule.” This is a great rule of thumb that helps you gauge the strength of the sun. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, if your shadow is shorter than you, that means that the sun is at its strongest. Also indicative of the sun’s strength is the UV index. The Environmental Protection Agency has created a map detailing the UV index in every state. You can type in your zip code here to find out today’s UV index for your area.
7. Don’t ignore the tinny tiny spots. When we apply sunscreen, we typically focus on the larger areas of our bodies like the face, arms and legs. Unfortunately, we can leave other spots susceptible to damage – and typically these parts can result in a painful sunburn. So be sure to apply sunscreen to often-missed places like your ears, temples, fingers, toes and even your scalp – especially if your hair has a natural part. For your part and scalp, consider a spray sunscreen, which may go on easier. And boost your protection with a wide-brimmed hat – not a baseball cap. Here’s why: “Research shows that broad-brimmed hats (at least 3 inches wide all around) provide the equivalent of SPF 5 for your face, ears and neck, while a baseball cap only protects your nose,” writes Dr. Wu.
8. Your sunscreen’s SPF isn’t necessarily what you really get. SPF 30 sounds like a sufficient value to keep your skin safe. But, in reality, many people just don’t apply enough sunscreen to get the full SPF specified on the bottle. According to a report from the Environmental Working Group, "People apply about a quarter of the recommended amount. So in everyday practice, a product labeled SPF 100 really performs like SPF 3.2, an SPF 30 rating equates to a 2.3 and an SPF 15 translates to 2."
9. An ounce of prevention is key. So how much should you apply? To properly protect your skin, make sure you apply an ounce of sunscreen to your body – at least. A good way to tell if you’re applying enough is to check your bottle. If your bottle is 4 ounces, it should be empty after four applications, according to Prevention.
10. Watch out for incidental exposure – it adds up! Most of us don’t think twice about walking to the mailbox or sitting by a window at work without having sunscreen on. But this kind of incidental exposure can still be damaging – and we actually get lots of it. In fact, the amount of incidental exposure we get can be considered a part-time job. According to Prevention, the average person gets 14 hours of exposure per week!

With summer almost here, many of us will be enjoying the great outdoors more often and for longer periods of time. And that requires some serious sun protection. So keep the above crucial facts in mind when heading outdoors. This way, you can focus on having fun, without damaging your skin!

See also:

Does Mineral Makeup Provide Enough Sun Protection?

Preventing Melanoma

Sizzling Summer Beauty Tips

10 Skin-Boosting Recipes for Spring & Summer