The days start getting warmer and most of us spend more time outside- it feels great! But the questions is, are you protecting your skin from the sun? Are you putting sunscreen on everyday? And are you eating the right foods to protect you from skin cancer? Here are a few tips to help you stay safe over the warm summer months and most importantly all year long.

1. Stay out of the midday sun (from 10 in the morning to 4 in the afternoon), which is the strongest sunlight. Find shade if you need to be outdoors. Wear hats and protect your skin with light long sleeve shirts.

2. Make sure you have sunglasses with UV ray protection. Many cheap brands don’t have this and it’s always good to check.

3. Use a sunscreen that has a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 or higher. Sunscreens that say “broad-spectrum” can protect the skin from ultraviolet A and B (UVA & UVB) rays. Sunscreens come in lotions, gels, creams, and ointments.

4. Apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going in the sun. Make sure you put your kids sunscreen on in the morning when they wake-up and then reapply as the day goes on. Keep track of when you last put the sunscreen on.

5. Apply sunscreen every 2 to 3 hours while in the sun and after swimming or sweating a lot. The SPF value decreases if a person sweats heavily or is in water, because water on the skin reduces the amount of protection the sunscreen provides. Sunscreen effectiveness is also affected by the wind, humidity, and altitude.

6. Citrus Fruits – Lemons, limes, oranges and grapefruits are some of the fruits with the highest content of vitamin C. Getting enough vitamin C in your diet can help prevent illnesses such as the common cold and the flu, but may also have skin cancer preventative benefits as well.

These are just a few tips to remind you to take care of your skin. Protecting your skin is part of your overall health and wellness.