Here comes the sun! (Finally)

May 28, 2015May 27, 2015 Katherine Morley cancer, summer, sun, sun protection, sun screen

Grinnin Gator — Grinnin’ Gator (Chandler Hummel) | CC by NC-ND 2.0

We did it! It finally seems safe to say that winter is over and it’s time to enjoy sunshine and warm temperatures. Now that you’ve packed away your sweaters, it’s also time to brush up on sun safety. While sunlight helps us produce much-needed Vitamin D₃, sun exposure also increases the risk of developing skin cancer.

Here are three quick and easy ways to refresh your knowledge!

1. The American Cancer Society has a rather onomatopoeic slogan to help you remember four key ways to enjoy the sun safely:

Slip! Slap! Slop!® and Wrap
Slip on a shirt Slop on sunscreen Slap on a hat
Wrap on sunglasses to protect your eyes and sensitive skin around them

2. Not sure what sunscreen to buy? Check out EWG’s 2015 Guide to Sunscreens to learn what to look for in a sunscreen and to see the effectiveness of different brands.

3. For more sun safety tips, you can also check out our infographic-filled post from last year.