How to Have a Sun-Safe Summer
By Judy O’Gorman Alvarez
Summer is the season to soak up some sun and enjoy the generally more laid-back atmosphere that’s become synonymous with June through August. Though no one wants to dampen the summer fun, it’s important to note that the season should not be entirely carefree. In fact, emphasizing skin protection is vital to ensuring the season is both fun and safe.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Each year, about 6.1 million adults are treated for basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.
But there are ways to prevent skin cancer besides spending summer days in bowling alleys or in darkened movie theaters.
Wear sunscreen every day. The American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ASDS) urges individuals to wear sunscreen every day in the summer and, really, year-round. It’s possible to get sunburned even in cooler climates or on cloudy days when time in direct sunlight is minimal. The sunscreen rule is especially important in summer when people tend to spend more time outdoors than during other times of year.
“We dermatologists, we love sunscreen,” said Lisa Zhou, M.D., a dermatologist with RWJBarnabas Health. But, she cautions, most people don’t know about – or pay attention to – the directions on the bottle, including application times.
“They need to reapply every two hours,” she said. “There is water-resistant sunscreen – but not sunproof,” Zhou said.
SPF, which stands for Sun Protection Factor, measures how well a sunscreen protects skin from sunburn caused by UVB rays. She explained that the SPF score shows how much time one can be exposed to the sun without turning red.
Zhou recommends patients use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 50. “I think 100 is overkill,” she said, but “without sunscreen, you’ll burn in 10 minutes.”
While sunscreen with an SPF of 100 technically extends that time to 300 minutes, “the sunscreen will wear off by then,” Zhou said.
She also points out that most sunscreens with an SPF of 100 have a texture that is “really unpleasant to spread, so people don’t apply enough. If you don’t apply enough, it won’t protect you.”
According to Zhou, a full shot glass of SPF 30 (about 1 ounce) should suffice for the body. A good amount for the face is about half a teaspoon – easily measured by placing a full line of sunscreen from the base to the tip of two fingers.
Watch what you wear. Another option for protecting your skin is wearing protective clothing. “It’s often forgotten that sun-protective clothing is available,” Zhou said. High-SPF clothing that absorbs UV rays is available at many retailers and online. Pairing such clothing with daily applications of sunscreen can be a great way to protect skin against summer sun.
“Hats can be helpful,” she said, noting wide-brimmed hats will shield much of the face, head and neck from the sun. “Generally, darker clothing, with tightly woven knits, are more protective to the sun.”
Skin color doesn’t matter. People with fair skin may already know from experience that they need to apply sunscreen in the summer. But even those with naturally darker skin that tends to tan instead of burn need to wear sunscreen every day. While darker skin tones may not reveal the traditional signs of a sunburn, too much sun exposure can cause damage. Pain and peeling from overexposure can occur and put people at risk for skin cancer.
Avoid sunbathing to reduce sunburn risk. The ASDS notes the only way to prevent exposure to potentially harmful sunburn is to stay in the shade. Though many consider a little color in summertime harmless, the reality is that skin cancer develops over time and getting any color from the sun is dangerous. Each sunburn a person gets increases his or her risk of developing skin cancer, so even a mild sunburn that disappears in a day or two can have a long-term and potentially deadly impact.
And definitely don’t think a tanning bed is a safer option. The World Health Organization considers ultraviolet (UV) tanning devices to be a cause of cancer in humans.
“We don’t see much of tanning beds anymore,” Zhou said. “And that’s a positive trend.”
Pay attention to your skin. “The good news is there is an increased awareness of protecting your skin and using sunscreen,” Zhou noted.
Although she’s relieved to see that awareness, she attributes some of the change to the public realizing skin cancer is not the only drawback or danger of sun exposure. “Honestly, they realize the damage causes wrinkles, as well.”
That’s fine with Zhou; the important part isn’t why you use the sunscreen, just that you do.
For older people who may have baked in the sun before understanding the risks, routine skin examinations can uncover warning signs of skin cancer.
“We see more patients in the summer because we start wearing short sleeves,” said Zhou, and people are more likely to see the marks and moles. “People should keep an eye on their own skin to see if they notice anything new or changing or growing” and consult a dermatologist for a full-body scan once a year.
A discoloration, a changing mole or a rough red patch of skin could be early warning signs of skin cancer. Contact a dermatology health care provider immediately if any of these signs are detected.
“It’s a good sign that people are aware,” said Zhou. A yearly skin screening is important for people who are at high risk for skin cancer, but evaluating your own skin should be part of everyone’s routine. “It may be hard to evaluate yourself – moles and all,” she said. “But it’s important.”
Whether it’s sunscreen, clothing, staying in the shade, or a combination of all three, as long as people are protecting their skin, it’s time for summertime fun.
The article originally appeared in the May 22 – 28, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
