Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
Why is sun protection important? —
The sun gives off "ultraviolet," or "UV," light. Tanning beds also use UV light to give people a tan. UV light can damage the skin and cause:
●Sunburn (picture 1 and picture 2) – This is skin damage that can happen when you are in the sun for too long.
●Photoaging – This is when UV light damages your skin. The damage builds up over time and makes it show signs of aging more quickly. It can also make your skin more wrinkly, discolored, and loose.
●Cancer – Skin cancer is often caused by sun exposure and sunburn. The damaging effects of the sun build up over time. The more you are exposed to UV light, the higher your risk of skin cancer.
You can protect yourself from UV light damage if you:
●Wear sunscreen, and reapply it often.
●Wear clothing that protects you from the sun.
●Stay in the shade when you are outside.
●Avoid trying to get a tan, either from the sun or tanning beds.
Who should use sunscreen? —
Everyone should wear sunscreen. This is because UV light can damage everyone's skin, no matter their skin tone.
Some people need to be extra careful in the sun. This is because they have a higher risk of skin damage from UV light. People at increased risk include:
●People with lighter skin tones
●Children and teens
●People taking certain medicines – Ask your doctor or nurse if any of your medicines increase your risk.
When should I wear sunscreen? —
Wear sunscreen every day before going out in the daytime. It is especially important to wear sunscreen when you:
●Will be in the sun for a long time – It is possible to get a sunburn even on a cloudy day. This is because UV light can go through clouds.
●Are near water, snow, or sand – These can reflect sunlight.
To make sure that your sunscreen is protecting you as much as possible:
●Put it on at least 15 to 30 minutes before you go out in the sun. After applying sunscreen, wait 10 to 20 minutes before putting on clothes, if possible.
●Reapply it at least every 2 hours.
●Reapply it after you swim or sweat. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied even if it says that it is "water resistant" or "very water resistant." Water-resistant sunscreen only lasts for about 40 minutes of swimming or sweating. Very water-resistant sunscreen lasts for 80 minutes.
How much sunscreen do I need? —
The amount depends on which parts of your body are exposed. In general, use about:
●1 teaspoon (about 0.16 ounces) for the face and neck
●2 teaspoons (about 0.33 ounces) for the front and back
●1 teaspoon for each arm (2 teaspoons total)
●2 teaspoons for each leg (4 teaspoons total)
Another way to make sure that you use enough sunscreen is to apply 2 layers of it before going outside.
What kind of sunscreen should I use? —
Look for sunscreen that is:
●SPF of 30 or greater – SPF is a number that tells you how well a sunscreen protects the skin from UV light.
●"Broad spectrum" – There are 2 kinds of UV light: UVA and UVB. A broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect you against both types.
●Water resistant – Sunscreens that are "water resistant" or "very water resistant" last for 40 to 80 minutes of swimming or sweating.
Sunscreens that have not expired or are not more than 3 years old might be more effective.
If a sunscreen is not broad spectrum or it has an SPF less than 15, you will see this statement on the bottle: "Skin cancer/skin aging alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging."
If you have sensitive skin, "inorganic" sunscreens might work for you. These are also called "mineral" sunscreens. They have "titanium dioxide" or "zinc oxide" in the list of active ingredients.
Rarely, people can be allergic to sunscreen. Allergic reactions to sunscreen are usually from 1 of these ingredients:
●Benzophenone-3
●DL-alpha-tocopherol
●Fragrances
If you have an allergic reaction to a sunscreen with 1 of the ingredients listed above, choose a sunscreen that does not have it in it.
Can I use sunscreen on my baby? —
Avoid using sunscreen on babies younger than 6 months old. This is because their skin is very sensitive. Instead:
●Use clothing to cover their skin.
●Keep them in the shade.
If clothing and shade are not available, you can use a small amount of sunscreen. Only put it on small areas, like their face and back of their hands. Use sunscreen that has:
●An SPF of 15 or higher
●"Titanium oxide" or "zinc oxide" in the active ingredients – These are best for a baby's sensitive skin.
Do clothes protect me from the sun? —
Yes. Clothing, hats, and sunglasses protect you from the sun's UV light. Clothes that are dark and have tightly woven fabric are the best at blocking UV light. Some kinds of fabric are better than others. For example, cotton and polyester are good at blocking UV light.
As your clothes get older and fade, they will block less UV light and protect you less. They will also protect you less if they get wet.
Like SPF in sunscreen, clothing has "UPF." This is a number that tells you how well a piece of clothing protects the skin from UV light. If you want to buy clothing made to protect you from the sun, look for clothes with a UPF of 15 or higher.
How else can I protect myself? —
The best way to protect yourself from the sun is to avoid it. When possible, find shade from 10 AM to 4 PM. In the US, this is when the sun is usually strongest.
Do not intentionally tan. This includes both outdoor tanning and using an indoor tanning bed.
For day-to-day protection, you can use cosmetics that have an SPF of 15 or higher. These include lip balm, face lotion, and makeup. Adding this to your daily routine can help protect you from UV light.
You can also buy special window glass and film that blocks UV light for your home or car.
What else should I know? —
Sunlight helps the body create vitamin D. This is important for your health. It helps protect your bones from becoming weak and breaking. Because the sun can damage your skin, it is safer to get vitamin D from food and vitamin D supplements.
Where can I learn more? —
The Skin Cancer Foundation has a list of items that can protect you from the sun. Their website is www.skincancer.org.
Patient education: Sunburn (The Basics)
Patient education: Melanoma skin cancer (The Basics)
Patient education: Non-melanoma skin cancer (The Basics)
Patient education: Calcium and vitamin D for bone health (The Basics)
Patient education: Sunburn (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Sunburn prevention (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Melanoma treatment; localized melanoma (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Melanoma treatment; advanced or metastatic melanoma (Beyond the Basics)
Patient education: Calcium and vitamin D for bone health (Beyond the Basics)
