Spending time outside is a great way to stay physically active and get vitamin D. You can work and play outside without raising your skin cancer risk by protecting your skin from the sun. Most skin cancers are caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays come from the sun, tanning beds and sunlamps and can damage skin cells. Protection from UV rays is important all year, not just during the summer, especially here in the Valley. UV rays can reach you on cloudy and cool days, and reflect off surfaces like water, cement, and sand.
No single approach to sun protection is foolproof. The Arizona Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using as many methods as is practical for your lifestyle. As with exercise, the best system is the one you enjoy and will use consistently.
Sun Safety 101
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Seek shade.
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Wear clothing that covers your arms and legs.
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Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade your face, head, ears, and neck.
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Wear sunglasses with lenses created to block UVB and UVA radiation.
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Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
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Avoid tanning, both indoor and outdoor.
