Summer Fun Safety Tips

It’s a gorgeous summer day outside: The sun’s shining, there’s not a cloud in the sky, and you can’t wait to jump in your inviting pool water. But enjoying your pool this summer doesn’t have to mean putting your skin at risk from the sun. By following a few sun safety tips, you can protect your skin and your children’s skin.

Dr. Adean A. Kingston, a preventive and cosmetic dermatologist at the Cooper Clinic in Dallas, recommends avoiding the peak hours of the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. as much as possible, and scheduling outdoor activities for the morning and evening hours. But if you do plan to spend time outside during these peak hours, Kingston recommends a few simple precautions.

1. Use a broad-spectrum sun block with at least SPF 45. If your skin burns easily or you have a family history of skin cancer, use an even higher SPF of between 55 and 100.
2. Make sure your sun block is broad spectrum. That means it blocks UVB—the ultraviolet radiation that causes sunburns—and UVA, which passes through windows or glass and penetrates the skin more deeply causing wrinkles, pigmentation alterations and changes in texture, Kingston says.
3. Liberally apply sun block (1 teaspoon per body area) 30 minutes before sun exposure. Reapply a second coat 5 minutes after the first coat. “Reapply at least every 2 hours,” Kingston says.
4. Use water-resistant or waterproof agents if you’re getting in the water. And reapply your sun block each time you get in and out of the water—even more than every two hours.
5. Begin teaching children about sun safety at an early age. Dr. Kingston says an estimated 80% of lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 18. “Be a role model for your children and get them in the habit of practicing sun protection measures early,” she says.
6. Use sun blocks with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for those with sensitive skin and for kids. These sun blocks are generally safer and more hypoallergenic than sunscreens with chemicals.
7. Don’t use sunscreen or sun block on babies younger than 6 months. Instead, keep them out of the sun completely.
8. Wear a wide-brim hat. This will help protect your head and shoulders.
9. Have umbrellas readily available to sit under and provide shade in your pool area. “Additionally, awnings, trees and other shade structures provide valuable protection to outdoor areas while one safely eats, plays or relaxes,” Dr. Kingston says.
10. Wear sunglasses that also block UVA and UVB rays.
11. Frequently apply a lip balm with sun block to protect extra-sensitive lips. “Also, avoid lipglosses, which can actually increase the amount of ultraviolet penetration,” Dr. Kingston says.
12. Get vitamin D through diet or oral supplements. “I take 2,000 Units of vitamin D every day,” Dr. Kingston says.
13. Drink 8 8-ounce glasses of water a day and hydrate more frequently when outdoors, exercising or sweating excessively. Sports drinks contain electrolytes, so they’re good for extreme sports or lengthy outdoor activities, but water alone is sufficient for most people.