Ten Tips for Avoiding Sunburns

We've all had it happen before: Looking down at our skin and noticing that lobster-like shade of red in all the sun-exposed areas. Maybe it was from getting caught up doing gardening and losing track of how long you were outside, possibly it was that softball game that went into extra innings, or maybe even just fooling around at the beach too long. However it happened, sunburns are no fun. They're painful, sensitive, and ugly. To avoid getting one of these solar tattoos, here are ten tips.

10) Avoid outdoor activity between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This four-hour period is when the sun's rays are at their most intense. Being out of doors at this time can lead to a sunburn in under 30 minutes. Try to plan any outdoor activities for other times during the day.

9) Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Baseball caps may help protect your face, but they leave the back of your neck and ears exposed. A good sunblocking hat will shade your face, ears, and neck. A wide-brimmed hat may not be terribly stylish, but is essential for facial protection from the sun.

8) Wear sun-protective clothing. Long sleeve shirts and pants are not much fun to wear in the summer, but your skin will thank you if you do. A physical barrier such as clothing can go a long way to keeping your skin from getting a damaging sunburn.

7) Check the side effects of any medications you take. Certain medications have sun sensitivity as a side effect, meaning that you will burn quicker if you are taking them. Some of these medications will actually make you sick if you get to much sun while taking them.

6) If you must be outside for an extended period of time, use a broad-spectrum sunblock. A broad-spectrum sunblock, which blocks both UVA and UVB rays, is a must for exposed skin. Go with a sunscreen that has titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, as these form a physical, rather than chemical, barrier to the sun and make sure to reapply often.

5) Avoid getting citrus products on your skin. If you are out grilling tequila lime chicken or something and get lime juice on your hands, wash your hands and put some gloves on. There is a sunburn-like condition known as phytophotodermatitis that results from sunlight hitting skin that has citrus oils on it.

4) Don't count on glass to protect you. Yes, you can get a sunburn even if you are behind glass. Glass is not effective at blocking UVA rays and won't be of any help unless it has UV tinting on it. Consider this too when buying sunglasses. Unless they have UVA and UVB protection, they're basically worthless.

3) Cloudy skies do not equal safety outdoors. Think because it is an overcast day that you don't need to worry about the sun? Think again. While clouds do block some of the sun's rays, the ones that get through are the most intense and most dangerous. Don't neglect your sun-protective measures just because the sky is gray.2) If you like the tanned look, use a sunless tanning product that offers both UVA and UVB protection. There's no need to rely on the sun for a tan. Many effective and cosmetically elegant sunless tanning lotions and sprays are available to give you that "just off the beach" look without actually damaging your skin.

1) Never, I repeat, never, use a tanning bed. While they try to bill themselves as somehow safer than the sun, tanning beds are just as damaging (or even more so) than natural sunlight. Sunburns from tanning beds and booths are frighteningly common. Just have the intensity up a little too high or spend a few minutes too long on the bed and you're fried. Don't even think of these things as tanning booths, but rather as skin cancer producers.
Sunburns suck. From the mildest burn to a full-fledged, life-threatening roast, they are unhealthy and unsightly. Follow the ten tips listed above and your summer will be much more enjoyable.