July 12, 2018

Now that temperatures have finally warmed up in Cook County, you might be planning a lot of activities outdoors. Enjoy being outside, but remember to protect yourself against the damage the sun can do to your skin.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.

To protect yourself and your family:

Don’t forget the sunscreen. Put a generous dose of sunscreen that is at least SPF 15 on your exposed skin, even on cloudy days. It’s best to apply sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes before you head outdoors and re-apply it if you’re out in the sun longer than two hours or are swimming or sweating. You should also make putting sunscreen on as automatic as brushing your teeth every day, no matter what your skin tone is.

Wear protective clothing. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and clothing that covers your exposed skin can provide protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays in sunlight.

Seek shade. Especially during the midday hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) when the sun is most intense, it’s a good idea to find shade beneath a tree or umbrella.