Summer ushers in weekends at the lake, picnics in the park and general fun in the sun. But protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful rays is a year-round effort.
“I encourage healthy, active lifestyles and enjoying the outdoors,” says Dr. Jessica Hoy, a board-certified dermatologist with Signature Dermatology in Lewis Center. “It’s not that we all have to be recluse in our basements, but there are general guidelines we should follow.”
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It starts with wearing sunscreen every day. “No matter what you’re doing, even if you don’t lay out in the sun, it’s about [protecting yourself from] cumulative UV exposure,” says Hoy. “It’s not just about when you’re going to be on the water or walking on trails. It should be a daily habit … apply in the morning to all of your exposed areas, even in Ohio, when it’s cloudy many days.”
How much SPF do you need to protect your skin from the sun?
Dr. Desmond Shipp, a practicing dermatologist and the director of cosmetic dermatology at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, recommends sunscreens with a sun-protection factor, or SPF, of at least 30. “We found that an SPF of 30 will probably block at least 97 percent of those rays,” he says. And don’t forget often-overlooked places like ears, hands or the tops of your feet, he adds.
“Sun protection factor doesn’t tell you how long you can stay out in the sun, it tells you how long before you burn,” says Shipp. “Make sure that you’re using a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and is water resistant.”
He also recommends wearing breathable, long-sleeve shirts, wide-brimmed hats and UV-protective sunglasses. For children 6 months or younger, he suggests avoiding sunscreen since they can more easily absorb it, which can lead to side effects like rashes. “Keep them out of the sun, keep them shaded and wear protective clothing,” Shipp says. For babies, rash guards are best.
How often should you reapply sunscreen?
If you’re going to be in and out of water or sweating a lot, Shipp recommends applying more frequently. “We generally tell people to make sure that you’re reapplying your sunscreen every two hours, minimum.”
Despite increased awareness and protections, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, and more than two people die from skin cancer in the U.S. every hour.
“I’m very passionate about early detection of skin cancer and prevention,” says Hoy. Her greatest concern is melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer. “We know that just one blistering sunburn in childhood can double your risk of melanoma skin cancer,” she says. “And five sunburns over your lifetime also can double your risk.”
Unlike other forms of cancer, skin cancer is one you can see. “The most important thing is checking your own skin at home,” says Hoy. “Do a monthly skin check, know where all your spots are, and then if you see anything concerning, or if you notice a spot that’s changing, itching or bleeding, go see a dermatologist.”
Shipp says the rules of sun protection apply to everyone. “I don’t know if the old doctrine has been passed down that skins of color don’t get skin cancers, but that’s completely false, and I want to get rid of that narrative,” he says. “Skin cancer can affect any and everyone, skin of color or not.”
This story appeared in the August 2025 issue of Columbus Monthly. Subscribe here.
This article originally appeared on Columbus Monthly: Summer Skincare Tips: How to Protect Your Skin in the Summer Months
Reporting by Virginia Brown / Columbus Monthly
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
