Warmer days have finally arrived—and summer’s just around the corner! That’s why our team at AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah feels this is a great time to talk about sun protection habits to help keep you and your family’s skin safe this spring and summer. ###Protect the Skin You’re In The best way to prevent a sunburn, as well as decrease your risk of skin cancer, is to wear sunscreen everytime you step outdoors. When choosing a sunscreen, most medical professionals recommend wearing a sunscreen with an SPF (or sunscreen protection factor) of at least 30. You should apply sunscreen to all exposed skin at least 30 minutes before going outdoors, then reapply at least every two hours while outdoors or more often if sweating or swimming. The last thing you want is for your sunscreen to fully wear off before re-applying another coat. Of course, sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 isn’t the only way you can protect your skin from a burn. In addition to sunscreen, always wear a hat and sunglasses when heading outdoors, especially if the UV rays are strong that day. A hat can help to protect your face from a sunburn, while the sunglasses can help protect your eyes from a sunburn, too. (Yes, that is right. Your eyes can get sunburned.) In all of these products, you want to look for ones that indicate they provide protection against both ultraviolet-A and ultraviolet-B rays. Also, while this isn’t always feasible, try to stay out of the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., which is when the sun’s rays are strongest. If you can’t be indoors during those hours, at least seek shade when possible. Did you suffer a bad burn? Visit AFC Urgent Care Ooltewah today to undergo medical treatment to help prevent further damage to your skin.