Cook County Health Offers Tips to Protect Your Skin During Spring Break

Posted April 15, 2019 11:00 pm

Caitlin Polochak, Cook County Health

Tis' the season for spring break fun in warm locations! Enjoy being outside, but remember to protect yourself against the damage the sun can do to your skin. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.

Cook County Health offers the following tips to protect yourself and your family:

1. Pack accordingly. A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses are a great choice for keeping your face and eyes protected from the sun's harmful UV rays.

2. Don't forget the sunscreen. Put a generous dose of sunscreen that is at least SPF 15 on your exposed skin, even on cloudy days. It's best to apply sunscreen at least 15 to 30 minutes before you head outdoors and re-apply it if you're out in the sun longer than two hours or are swimming or sweating. You should also make putting sunscreen on as automatic as brushing your teeth every day, no matter what your skin tone is.

3. Wear protective clothing. A wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses and clothing that covers your exposed skin can provide protection from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays in sunlight.

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