There Is No Safe Sun Tan!

Your skin color is beautiful just as it is, any time of year! Tanned skin is not a sign of good health it means that your skin has been hurt by the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Too much sun without protection can cause skin damage, eye problems, and more serious health problems such as skin cancer and lip cancer.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and it can be deadly. The good news is that you can take steps to protect your natural beauty and your health.

AVOID THE RAYS.

If you can, stay inside or in the shade when the sun's rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. UV rays can reach you on cloudy days and during any season, no matter what the temperature is outside.

They can also reach you by reflecting off of surfaces like water, cement, sand, and snow.

USE SUNSCREEN.

Use broad-spectrum sunscreen and lipscreen with SPF 15 or higher every day. Broad spectrum means that it will protect you from both UVA and UVB rays, the two types of rays that can hurt your skin.

Put on sunscreen: 1) 30 minutes before going out, 2) Every 2 hours, and 3) After swimming, sweating, or drying off. Exercising or swimming? Use a waterproof or water resistant sunscreen (you still have to reapply often!).

If you have acne, waterproof sunscreen could make your skin break out try using regular sunscreen more often, instead.

ACCESSORIZE!

Wear protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat, long-sleeved shirt, and long pants. If you can't wear long shirts and pants, try to stay in the shade and wear sunscreen.

Keep your eyes safe with wraparound sunglasses with 100 percent UV ray protection.

TAKING MEDICINE?

Medicines such as the antibiotic tetracycline or birth control pills make your skin extra sensitive, so be sure to limit your time in the sun and use sunscreen.

DON'T USE TANNING BEDS.

There are no safe rays and this includes indoor tanning. Rays from tanning beds and sunlamps are just as dangerous-sometimes more dangerous-than the sun's rays.

Know your products

• When getting spray tans, make sure the salon offers special covers for your eyes, nose and mouth. Spray tan chemicals are only safe for the outside of your body.
• There are no safe tanning pills out there. Tanning pills can cause serious health problems.
• Not all makeup that has sunscreen in it offers enough protection. Wear sunscreen, too
• Use sunscreen along with self-tanning and bronzing products - these do not offer protection from the sun's rays.