We’ll be the first to admit that there’s nothing like a day at the beach, or even the pool, to take your mind off of things. Basking in the warmth is at the top of everyone’s to-do list after the winter we’ve had – but not so fast! Those who take in too much sunlight (UV Rays) are at a greater risk of developing skin cancer. If you’re like most of us and want to keep your skin healthy for the foreseeable future, it’s important to take steps to prevent excessive exposure to UV rays – here’s how:

 

Use Sunscreen

 

Staying indoors at all times isn’t a valid option. Part of living a healthy and active lifestyle is getting out and moving around. The best way to ensure that your skin is always protected is to keep sunscreen handy – and USE IT! How many times have you heard “I just get burned once and then I tan” or “it’s cloudy, I don’t need sunscreen.”? Regardless of the way your skin tone changes throughout the summer or how overcast it may be, it’s very likely that you’re still doing substantial damage by not using sunscreen. Whether you’re going to be outside for 2 hours or 12, make it a part of your daily routine.

 

Keep Covered

 

If you’re going to spending all day out in the sun, it’d be a smart move to cover up with tightly-woven clothing that blocks out sunlight. If you see construction workers out laying pavement, they’re all nearly covered from head-to-toe, regardless of the temperature. Keeping UV Rays from making direct contact with your body protects your skin and can help keep you cooler! If you’re going to be spending the majority of the day in the sun, bring a wide-brimmed hat that will provide shade to not only your face but also your ears and the back of your neck – these are some of the most common places for skin cancer to develop.

 

Eyes On The Prize

 

Your eyes should be a top priority when it comes to sun protection. A quality pair of UV blocking sunglasses is worth the investment to keep your eyes healthy for the long term. Your glasses don’t have to be exorbitantly expensive, but they should filter out at least 99% of UV rays. Quality sunglasses should be one of your go-to accessories all year-round, but especially during the summer and anytime you’ll be in an environment where the sunlight is reflected, such as on the slopes or out on the water.

 

We all love the warmth of summertime, but don’t let that harm your skin! Excessive exposure to UV radiation can mean losing your skin’s youthful glow and drastically increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Following these 3 tips can prevent lasting damage and keep you from suffering through a painful sunburn! Happy Summer, everyone!

 

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LabFinder is a no-cost, online platform for people to easily schedule their medical tests and view results securely. The LabFinder team is passionate about improving the ‘patient and doctor experience’ through better communication, reduce out-of-pocket expenses and making everyone know more about their own medical tests. The mission of LabFinder is simple: we want to be solution to you and get you the test results you deserve so you can make right choices about your health.

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