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For the most complete sun protection: Use sunscreen. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. Apply sunscreen generously, and reapply every two hours — or more often if you're swimming or perspiring. Seek shade. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest. Wear protective clothing.
UV light may be from the sun or artificial sources, such as sunlamps and tanning beds. UVA is the wavelength of light that can penetrate to the deep layers of skin and lead to skin damage over time. UVB is the wavelength of light that penetrates the skin more superficially and causes sunburn. The UV light damages skin cells.
You absorb UV radiation year-round, and clouds offer little protection from damaging rays. Avoiding the sun at its strongest helps you avoid the sunburns and suntans that cause skin damage and increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Sun exposure accumulated over time also may cause skin cancer. Wear sunscreen year-round.
For the most protection from the sun, cover your skin when you're outdoors. Dark clothing with a tight weave offers more protection than light-colored clothing or clothing with a loose weave. Try outdoor gear designed for sun protection. Check the label for its ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). That tells how well a fabric blocks sunlight.
Examples include long-sleeve, collared shirts, long pants and socks; broad-brimmed hats; and special UV-protection clothing. Protect eyes by wearing dark, UV-blocking sunglasses. Another option is transition lenses called photochromic lenses, which darken in bright light. Coping and support Making school or work changes
Apply to the affected skin a clean towel dampened with cool tap water. Or take a cool bath with added baking soda — about 2 ounces (60 grams) a tub. Cool the skin for about 10 minutes several times a day. Apply a moisturizer, lotion or gel. An aloe vera lotion or gel or calamine lotion can be soothing.
Wear a broad-brimmed hat, which provides more protection than does a baseball cap or visor. Some companies also sell protective clothing. A dermatologist can recommend an appropriate brand. Don't forget sunglasses. Look for those that block both types of UV light that come from the sun, called UVA and UVB. Wear sunscreen year-round.
Typical recommendations include using the light box: Within the first hour of waking up in the morning. For about 20 to 30 minutes. About 16 to 24 inches (41 to 61 centimeters) from your face, but follow the manufacturer's instructions about distance. With eyes open, but not looking directly at the light.
Signs and symptoms may include: Itchiness (pruritus) Stinging. Tiny bumps that may merge into raised patches. A flushing of the exposed area. Blisters or hives. Symptoms usually occur only on skin that has been exposed to the sun or other source of UV light. Symptoms show up within minutes to hours after sun exposure.
Consider wearing a broad-brimmed hat, which provides more protection than does a cap or visor. Consider wearing clothing designed to provide sun protection. Look for clothes labeled with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) of 40 to 50. Follow care instructions on the label of UV-blocking clothes to maintain their protective feature.