Prevention:

Reduce sun exposure and protect your skin from the sun:

• Wear protective clothing such as hats, long-sleeved shirts, long skirts, or pants.
• Try to avoid sun exposure during midday, when ultraviolet light is most intense.
• Use high-quality sunscreens, preferably with a sun protection factor (SPF) rating of at least 15. Pick a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB light.
• Apply sunscreen before going out into the sun, and reapply often.
• Use sunscreen year-round, including in the winter.
• Avoid sun lamps, tanning beds, and tanning salons.

Other important sun safety facts to keep in mind:

• Sun exposure is stronger in or near surfaces that reflect light, such as water, sand, concrete, and areas painted white.
• Sun exposure is more intense at the beginning of the summer.
• Skin burns faster at higher altitudes.