STEPS TO PROTECT SKIN FROM SUN

1.Stay inside as much as possible between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the time of day when the sun's rays are strongest and most damaging. This minimizes the damaging effects of the sun on your skin, according to the American Cancer Society. Try to plan outdoor activities during the morning or early 
evening hours.

2.Look for sun-protective clothing to wear when you intend to be outdoors for more than a couple of hours. Sun-protective clothing offers more protection than typical clothing because the fabric is designed with a tighter weave. According to the FTC, sun-protective garments include a special label that lists the item's ultraviolet protection factor. This number is similar to the sun protection factor included on sunscreen labels. The higher the number, the greater the protection against the sun's UV rays.

3.Plant shade trees in your yard if you spend a lot of time outside, and look for a shady location to spend work breaks, watch your children play or participate in other outdoor activities. You can also buy a lawn umbrella at most home and garden stores and use that for portable, temporary protection from the sun.

4.Wear a hat with a wide enough brim to cover your face, ears and neck. The American Cancer Society recommends a brim of at least two inches. The delicate skin on the face and neck is especially vulnerable to sunburn and skin cancer, and the scalp is also at risk, regardless of the amount of hair you have. Straw hats allow sunlight to penetrate through to the scalp, which means they provide little protection against sun damage.

5.Choose clothing that covers all sun-exposed areas of your body, including your arms and legs. Lightweight, cotton fabrics can provide protection even in very hot weather, when heavier fabrics may be unbearable to wear. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends tightly woven fabrics in darker colors, and says dry clothes offer more protection than wet clothes.

6.Protect your feet from the sun by wearing shoes whenever you are outside. The feet are often overlooked when it comes to sun protection, but they are just as vulnerable to burns and skin cancer as the rest of your body.

7.Cover your eyes with sunglasses. Excessive exposure to the sun increases the risk of cataracts and can lead to burns and wrinkles around the eyes. Wear sunglasses--preferably those that wrap all the way around the eyes--at all times, and look for glasses that offer protection against UVA and UVB rays.