Sun Safety Tips for Beachgoers

While enjoying a day at the beach, Hoag Hospital recommends everyone follow some simple tips to reduce your risk for sunburn and skin cancer.

Through its Project Wipeout -- an educational beach safety program Hoag developed in 1979 to teach people about potential beach dangers -- hospital officials have issued the following sun safety tips for the community.

• If you are headed outdoors, apply sunscreen with a minimum of SPF 30 a half hour before you step outside.
• Is taking a dip in the pool or surfing at the beach on your agenda? If so, it is imperative to ensure your sunscreen is waterproof.
• Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, or more, especially if you are swimming or sweating.

Remember! The American Academy of Dermatology also recommends that EVERYONE use sunscreen to protect from sunburn, early skin aging and skin cancer. Just as damaging as the suns rays are the toxic chemicals we tend to lather on our bodies to protect us from the sun.

Find a sunscreen that is chemical free. Experts say zinc oxide offers the broadest UV protection and cannot be absorbed into the blood. It sits on top of your skin providing a layer of armor against damaging UV rays. Zinc is a natural mineral nutrient the body uses to function. The higher the zinc oxide content, the better protection you will have against burning.