With the warmer days ahead, and the sun finally making an appearance, we are all excited to head outdoors for our weekend adventures. Whether it is a day of hiking, playing at the beach, or just doing some outdoor gardening –  don’t forget to apply, and then reapply your sunscreen!

Here are some basic guidelines for sunscreen use:

• Apply sunscreen that has both UVA/UVB protection with at least an SPF of 30 .
• It is best to apply about 10-15 minutes before venturing outdoors.
• Once is not enough.  You must reapply approximately every two hours, or every 80 minutes if you are swimming or sweating.
• Some sunscreens that we love are:  Elta MD for face and body, Colorescience in a convenient powder brush, Epionce Ultra Shield Lotion, and Solbar which men tend to like because of it’s clear, gel, non greasy formula.

• Avoid sun exposure between 10am – 4:00pm when UV rays are at their peak.
• Seek shade when possible, and wear a broad brimmed hat.  There are a variety of clothing and hats with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) built into the fabric. This makes an ideal choice for sun protection for babies and active children.
• Skincancer.org has a great list of sun-protection products and recommendations.
• Don’t forget to protect your eyes from the sun as well.  This can help you avoid possible eye disease, often caused by sun exposure.
• Look for sunglasses with 100% UV absorption on the label for ultimate eye protection.

Have a fun and sun-safe spring and summer!

Lesia Garringer, LE