Summer time, and the livin’ is easy, so most of us head out to the beach or the lake for a day’s activities of swimming and boating, now that the weather is getting warmer.  But are you prepared for the damage the day in the sun can do to your skin and body?

A number of studies have shown that too much exposure to the sun can lead to nasty things like burned skin, making you look older than you are, and even some types of cancer, but still many Americans are just not listening to the warnings, says the LA Times.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta reports that only 14.3% of all men in the US use sunscreen on the face and exposed skin on a regular basis.  And, while women are somewhat better at using the lotions and sprays, they are not completely off the hook, since 29.9% of them also say they don’t use sunscreen regularly.

The National Cancer Institute has reported cases of skin melanoma, likely caused by exposure to the sun, have been rising on average 1.4% per year for the last decade.  If you are still not convinced of the harm the sun can do,  a research study by L’Oreal found that as much as 80% of the visible aging on the face appears to be caused by exposure to UV light.

So here are some tips to help you deal with this issue, and hopefully help you avoid some serious complications later in life.

First, try to avoid being exposed to the sun during the hours of 10AM to 2PM.  This is the peak time of the day when the sun’s rays are the most intense.

Wear protection.  A simple statement, but probably the most important one. Wide-brimmed hats, protective clothing and a sunscreen of at least SPF 30 are recommended to prevent burning skin.

Re-apply the sunscreen.  Being out in the sun sweating and getting in the water both remove some of the sunscreen protection you previously applied.  Experts say a re-application of sunscreen every two hours is the best bet.

Lotions work better than sprays or towelettes, according to the professionals.  Lotions allow for a more complete coverage when properly applied.

And the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends babies under 6 months should not be exposed to the sun, but if you must, use a lotion with at least a SPF 15, which blocks 93% of harmful UVB rays.

Keep these tips in mind as you head out for summer fun, and maybe you can enjoy not only the day, but can avoid unnecessary sun exposure complications, that may ruin the rest of your trip.