Now that the Ohio weather is warming up, everyone is spending more time outside in the sun. It feels great, right? However, since May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, it's the right time to talk about protecting yourself from the sun. The sun's UVA and UVB rays cause damage that can lead to premature aging of your skin, some types of skin cancers and cataracts in your eyes. One bad sunburn early in life increases your risk.

Here are some tips for enjoying the sunshine without feeling the burn:

• Limit your time in the sun during the hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun’s rays are at their strongest. Take some breaks in the shade to cool down.
• Wear protective clothing such as long sleeves, pants and hats.
• Wear sunglasses.
• Use broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 20 to 30 anytime you are outside.

Broad spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays that cause damage to your skin. Some sunscreens contain chemicals that absorb the UV rays before they can harm your skin. You may see ingredients like avobenzone or benzophenone listed on the bottle. Other sunscreens contain physical barriers that reflect the UV rays. These sunscreens may list titanium dioxide or zinc oxide in their ingredients. Don’t be afraid of white chalky residue! New technology has made these ingredients easier to use, and they won’t leave streaks.

The average adult needs to use about once ounce of sunscreen to cover exposed skin. That is about the amount that would fit into a shot glass. One 8-ounce bottle of sunscreen lasts eight applications. Apply sunscreen thirty minutes before going outside to give it time to absorb into your skin. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you are sweating heavily or have gone swimming. No sunscreen is completely waterproof.

Sunglasses are a must any time of year. When shopping for sunglasses, look for a label that states that the glasses block both UVA and UVB rays. Remember that water, snow, glass and concrete reflect UV rays, so wear them every day, even in winter.

Enjoy your summer!