The team at AFC Urgent Care Cleveland understands how eager you are to go outside and enjoy the sunny days that are now making a more frequent appearance. However, before you go outside, it’s important that you’re packing your most important skin protection—sunscreen. Reduce Your Risk of Skin Cancer According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Before the summer months are really upon us, learn how to start the healthy habits that can help prevent skin cancer. For starters, never leave the house without sunscreen on all exposed areas of your skin. Even if the weatherman says it will be mostly cloudy, you still need to apply sunscreen. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and apply it at least 30 minutes before going outside so that the sunscreen has enough time to be absorbed into the skin. You should be applying approximately 1 ounce of sunscreen—about enough to fill a shot glass. Be sure that you reapply sunscreen at least every two hours. If you’re swimming or sweating, though, you’ll want to reapply more often, since the sunscreen will wash off. You should also limit your time in the sun this summer. The sun’s ultraviolet rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. each day. As a result, try and minimize your time spent outside during this time of the day. If you want to go for a run, try to exercise early in the morning or in the evening. If you do go outside, make sure you not only wear sunscreen, but you also wear the proper gear that can help aid in sun protection, including sunglasses for your eyes and a lip balm containing sunscreen for your lips. Did a recent trip outdoors lead to a severe sunburn? Stop by AFC Urgent Care Cleveland so we can help treat your burn and keep it from worsening.