It’s fun to get out in the sun. But if you don’t practice good sun safety, you can end up with a painful sunburn today — and potentially wrinkles, sunspots, or skin cancer in the future. In fact, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the U.S. More than five million skin cancers are diagnosed each year in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. The good news? There’s a lot you can do to protect you and your family from skin cancer.

Tips for sun safety from our trusted pharmacists

With support from our trusted pharmacists, you can learn the importance of sun protection, get help choosing the right products, find help with sunburn treatment, understand any possible medication interactions, and learn more about the importance of skin cancer screenings.

Staying safe in the sun

• Check your skin regularly. Look for signs of melanoma, which include growths that are new, asymmetrical, large (bigger than the head of a pencil), contain multiple colors, or have irregular edges.
• Get a professional skin cancer check every one to two years. If you’ve ever had any type of skin cancer, your doctor may recommend that you get checked more frequently.
• Protect yourself by using sunscreen often and generously. The ACS recommends wearing 30 SPF or higher and reapplying every 2 hours and more often if you’re in and out of water or sweating. Wear a hat and a beach cover-up. Avoid being outside in the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV list is the strongest. Stay in the shade if you have to be out during peak hours. Cloud cover does not guarantee protection. Wear sunglasses.

Talk to our pharmacist for personalized recommendations and sun safety tips.