Catherine M. Olsen, PhD
Peter G. Parsons, PhD
Adele C. Green, MD, PhD

While shade is a potentially valuable means of protection from the damaging effects of the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, not all shade is equally protective. People can spend long hours in the shade while still receiving quite a lot of sun exposure and risking skin damage. This is because UVB rays, often considered the most harmful part of sunlight, can reach the skin indirectly.

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If you protected yourself, congratulations — you're preventing wrinkles and perhaps even skin cancer.

If you tanned, uh-oh: skin darkens in response to dangerous ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun (or tanning salons). A tan is a sign that your skin has been damaged.

If you burned, ouch! Your risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, doubles if you have had five or more sunburns, or just one blistering burn before age 20.

So protect yourself — go with your own glow by seeking the shade, and wearing protective clothing and sunscreen every day.

Everyday steps to sun safety

Most people like to get a little sun. Its warmth and light can relax us and boost our spirits. But the benefits come with a dangerous tradeoff. Each year more than 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the US, over 90 percent of which are caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays (UVR). Similarly, most of the skin damage we associate with aging — wrinkles, sagging, leathering, and discoloration — is UVR-related. This damage is cumulative. So, whenever you venture out in the sun, be smart about it. To enjoy what the sun has to offer without risking your health, follow these simple rules: