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Q: Every summer I love being outdoors, but I am really concerned about the sun damaging my skin. I always try to use sunscreen when I’m outdoors — is there anything else I should do to protect my skin from sun damage?

A: Summertime always brings lots of memories, fun and sun. To maximize your fun it is important to remember to protect your skin from the sun, which can cause painful sunburns, skin discoloration and potentially skin cancer.

But don’t worry! Protecting your skin from harmful sun rays can be done in a few steps.

First, understand how the sun damages skin. Sunlight has two types of ultraviolet rays that are especially harmful to our skin: UVA rays and UVB rays. UVA rays cause skin to age prematurely, leading to wrinkles and age spots.

UVB rays are the main cause for sunburns. We are protected from UVB rays when indoors because they are blocked by glass windows. Clouds don’t slow them much, though: Even on cloudy days up to 80% of these harmful rays can reach our skin.

This is why my No. 1 tip for sun damage prevention is to wear sunscreen every day. Everyone, regardless of age or skin tone, should be using sunscreen every single day — even if you are spending the day indoors.

To get the most protection out of your sunscreen it is important to know what type to use and how to use it. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a waterproof broad-spectrum sunscreen because it protects skin from UVA and UVB rays.

You also want to be sure you are using a sunscreen that has a SPF of 30 or higher. SPF, or sun protection factor, tells us the proportion of sun rays that are blocked by that sunscreen. For example, a sunscreen with SPF 30 means 97% of the sun’s harmful rays are blocked.

You should apply about 1 ounce of sunscreen (a standard shot glass), or enough to cover your exposed skin, about 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the tops of your feet, scalp, neck and ears.

Regardless of the reported SPF, you should be reapplying sunscreen every two hours and after swimming or sweating.

It is recommended to use a lip balm or lipstick that has an SPF of 30 or higher to protect your lips. Always make sure to check the expiration dates on your sunscreens!

Minimize sun exposure

Try to avoid going outdoors when the sun’s rays are the strongest — between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. — if possible. When outside try to stay in shady areas or wear a large-brimmed hat and sunglasses. You can also wear long-sleeved lightweight tops and bottoms to cover your skin. Be extra cautious if you are spending time near a body of water, as it can reflect and amplify the intensity of UV rays.

Mind your meds

Some medications can make skin more sensitive to the sun and its harmful effects. Make sure to always talk with your pharmacist or health care provider to see if any of your medications can make you more susceptible to sun damage. Some of those medications include:

• antibiotics
• antihistamines
• diuretics
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen

With these tips you will be able to do all your favorite summer activities without the worry of damaging your skin. Have fun and stay safe.

Imani Carpenter is a fourth-year pharmacy student at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy. She is a Fairfax, Virginia, native who graduated from VCU in 2018 with a B.S. in chemistry.