Other Sun Protection Guidelines
Using sunscreen is only one part of a sun safety regimen; sunscreen alone isn’t enough. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends that you also incorporate other healthy habits into your lifestyle in order to protect your skin. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses. Seek the shade whenever possible, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Avoid intentional tanning or burning, and never use tanning beds. In addition, examine your skin once a month, and see your dermatologist once a year.
As for the much-debated vitamin D issue, obtain your recommended daily allowance of vitamin D through diet and/or supplements rather than from exposure to the sun. The health risks of the sun’s UV radiation are well documented, so seek vitamin D the safe way; don’t rely on the sun.
