Prevent skin damage

The best way to prevent skin damage from the sun besides moving
to the Antarctic — oops, never mind, I forgot about the hole in the
ozone layer there — is to avoid excessive exposure to UV and the
sun. You can accomplish this by following these tips:

1: Shun the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m, especially during late spring and summer when the
sun is most intense.

2: Wear protective headgear such as a hat with a wide brim to protect your face, head, and
the back of your neck. You can also wear a baseball cap, long-sleeved shirts, and long
pants.

3: Be aware of reflected light from sand, water, or snow.

4: Avoid tanning parlors.

5: Slather on the sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater — at least 30 minutes before sun
exposure, even on cloudy, hazy days.

6: Reapply sunscreens liberally and frequently at least every two to three hours, and after
swimming or sweating.

7: Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVB (the burning rays) and UVA
(the more penetrating rays that promote wrinkling and aging).

If you’re a person of color and have the dark spots of PIP, they’re
often further darkened by sun exposure. A broad-spectrum sunscreen
will offer you the best protection.