Basking in the sun feels great, and it helps your body produce vitamin D, which plays a role in preventing depression, osteoporosis, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. However, exposing yourself to strong ultraviolet (UV) rays without proper protection can be extremely harmful to your skin and body. In recent years, research has shown that exposure to ultraviolet rays such as UVA and UVB can lead to skin cancer and eye damage. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean that you need to give up fun in the sun altogether. You just have to protect yourself from these harmful rays at all times.
Put on sunscreen every time you go out, especially when you are at the beach, in which case you might have to reapply it every couple of hours or after swimming. Sunscreen, or sunblock, protects your skin by absorbing or reflecting ultraviolet radiation that can lead to sunburn. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 90% of non-melanoma skin cancers and 65% of melanoma cases are linked with exposure to harmful UV radiation from the sun. A recent study found that using sunscreen regularly can cut the risk for developing melanoma in half. Taking the time to put on sunscreen can save your life, so be sure to apply it regularly, even if you do not think you’ll be spending a lot of time outside.