Summer might be over, but in Hawai‘i, people can be active outside all year long. Sunlight makes people feel as if they are full of energy. However, while having fun in the sun, people may forget the most important thing, that is, to put on their sunscreen.

Most people know about the damage that ultraviolet radiation (UV) from the sun can do to the skin and the risk of skin cancer. But, many people have the wrong idea about when to use sunscreen. They think that it is only necessary when they go to the beach. Definitely, the beach is one of the places where people get the most sun exposure, and where UV radiation can be most harmful to the skin. But, UV radiation exists wherever the sunshine is.

The peak level of UV radiation at daytime is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. People should avoid going outside during this period, or they should make sure that they apply sunscreen. That is the most basic step to protect the skin from damage by sunlight. To be most effective, sunscreen should be applied 15-20 minutes prior to exposure to the sun, so that it has time to be completely absorbed into the skin.

Sunscreens are rated with a Sun Protection Factor, called SPF. An SPF of 30, the maximum, means that the sunscreen will provide 30 times the skin’s normal protection. For instance, the skin takes 10 minutes to burn in an unprotected condition. SPF 30 sunscreen offers protection for 30 times 10 minutes, or 300 minutes. Therefore, every 5 hours, one needs to reapply their sunscreens.

Here in Hawai‘i, every season is like summer, so it is especially important for people to use sunscreen and other sun protection, such as hats and sunglasses. Sure, a suntan is cool, but a bad sunburn today can have serious consequences forever. The more protections people use, the less possibility that they will get skin cancer.