Excessive exposure to sun rays is harmful for our skin. You need sun protection whenever you go out in the sun. Ultraviolet rays or UV rays are damaging for the skin; they cause wrinkles, freckles, sunburns, and dryness and may even leads to skin cancer. Sun protection means protecting your skin from harmful rays of skin by various methods. Nothing can completely undo sun damage, although the skin can sometimes repair itself. So, it's never too late to begin protecting yourself from the sun.

Follow these tips to help prevent sun-related skin problems. The most important step you can take for sun protection is avoiding unnecessary excessive exposure to the sun. Avoid going out in sun from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. when sunrays are the brightest. Sun rays at this time are the most harmful for the skin. Be aware of reflections off water, snow, cement, sand, and other reflective surfaces that can double your exposure to ultraviolet light. Avoid sun damage through windows, especially when driving. Apply sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or greater 30 minutes before sun exposure and then every few hours thereafter. Also apply sunscreen to your lips and ears - two often-forgotten areas. Wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection that filter at least 80% of sunlight. Not only are you protecting your eyesight, but the surrounding sensitive skin as well. Wear wide-brimmed hats, long sleeved shirts and pants. Perform skin self-exams regularly to become familiar with existing growths and to notice any changes or new growths. Eighty percent of a person's lifetime sun exposure is acquired before age 18. As a parent, be a good role model and foster skin cancer prevention habits in your child. Do not use sunscreen after expiry date. Apply first coat of the sunscreen 20 minutes before going out in the sun and second coat of the sunscreen 20 minutes after going out in the sun. Use glayers to protect your eyes from the harmful U.V. rays. Infants under 6 month must be kept out of the sun. Sunrays can be equally hazardous in the cloudy day. There are two types of UV rays emitted from sun which damage the skin; UVA and UVB. Elements like zinc and titanium are the best physical blockers to protect against both harmful rays of sun. People usually hesitate to wear them because they are white and pasty. But now both these elements are available in the form of clear sun protection creams.