Summer in Arkansas means more time outside, and these sunscreen safety tips are important. Whether you are spending the day at the lake, working in the yard, watching a ballgame, fishing, hiking, or enjoying a family barbecue, sun exposure adds up faster than many people realize.
Too much exposure to ultraviolet, or UV, rays can damage your skin even when you do not burn. Over time, repeated sun exposure can increase your risk of premature aging, sun spots, painful sunburns, and skin cancer.
The good news is that protecting your skin does not have to be complicated. A few simple habits can make a major difference, especially during the long, hot Arkansas summer.
Why Sun Protection Matters
UV rays are strongest during the middle of the day, especially from late morning through the afternoon. They can also reach your skin on cloudy days and reflect off surfaces such as water, sand, concrete, pavement, and snow.
That matters in Arkansas, where summer activities often include lakes, rivers, ballfields, sidewalks, parking lots, and outdoor work. Even short periods outside can add up over time.
Sun protection is not just for beach vacations. It should be part of your regular routine when you are outdoors for work, errands, sports, travel, or family activities.
Before spending extended time outdoors, check the UV Index for your area. A higher UV Index means your skin can burn more quickly, and you may need to be more intentional about sunscreen, shade, hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing.
Choose the Right Sunscreen
Not every sunscreen provides the same level of protection. When choosing sunscreen, look for three things:
- Broad-spectrum protection
- SPF 30 or higher
- Water resistance if you will be swimming, sweating, or spending extended time outdoors
Broad-spectrum sunscreen helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays contribute to skin aging and long-term skin damage. UVB rays are the main cause of sunburn. Both can affect your skin health.
Apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before going outside. Most adults need about one ounce of sunscreen, roughly the amount that fills a shot glass, to cover exposed skin properly.
Do not forget to check the expiration date. Expired sunscreen may not provide the level of protection listed on the bottle.
Reapply Sunscreen Often
One of the most common sunscreen mistakes is putting it on once and assuming it will last all day.
To stay protected, reapply sunscreen at least every two hours while outdoors. Reapply sooner if you are swimming, sweating heavily, or drying off with a towel.
Water-resistant does not mean waterproof. Sunscreen labels may say they are water-resistant for 40 or 80 minutes, but they still need to be reapplied. No sunscreen blocks the sun completely, and no sunscreen works all day without reapplication.
A good habit is to keep sunscreen where you will actually use it. Put a travel-size bottle in your bag, vehicle, tackle box, pool bag, sports bag, or stroller so it is easy to reapply when you need it.
Sun Protection Is More Than Sunscreen
Sunscreen works best when it is combined with other smart sun-safety habits.
When possible, protect your skin by:
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face, ears, and neck
- Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses
- Choosing lightweight, long-sleeved clothing for extended outdoor time
- Looking for shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Planning outdoor work or activities earlier in the morning or later in the day when possible
These steps are especially important for children, older adults, outdoor workers, athletes, and anyone who spends long periods outside.
Do Not Forget These Easy-to-Miss Spots
Many sunburns happen because people miss small areas when applying sunscreen. Before heading outside, remember to protect your:
- Ears
- Nose
- Back of the neck
- Scalp, especially if you have thinning hair
- Tops of the feet
- Hands
- Lips with an SPF lip balm
Taking an extra minute to cover these areas can help prevent painful burns and reduce long-term skin damage.
What About Babies and Young Children?
Infants younger than 6 months should generally be kept out of direct sunlight as much as possible. Shade, lightweight protective clothing, and wide-brimmed hats are the best protection for babies.
For older children, sunscreen can be part of a healthy outdoor routine. Parents and caregivers should apply sunscreen before outdoor play and reapply it often, especially during swimming, sports, recess, and summer activities.
Children can burn quickly, and repeated sunburns early in life can increase the risk of skin problems later.
Some Medicines Can Increase Sun Sensitivity
Some medications can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. This is sometimes called photosensitivity. It may cause sunburn-like reactions, rashes, redness, itching, or other skin irritation after sun exposure.
If you take prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, or use medicated skin products, ask your provider or pharmacist whether you need to take extra sun precautions.
Do not stop taking a medication without talking with your healthcare provider.
Who Should Be Extra Careful in the Sun?
Everyone needs sun protection, but some people may need to be especially careful.
This includes people who have:
- A history of frequent or severe sunburns
- A personal or family history of skin cancer
- Many moles or unusual-looking moles
- Fair skin that burns easily
- Outdoor jobs or frequent outdoor hobbies
- Frequent lake, pool, river, or sports exposure
- A weakened immune system
If you are unsure about your risk, your primary care provider can help you decide whether you need a skin check or referral.
Know the Warning Signs of Skin Cancer
Healthy Connections encourages patients to become familiar with their skin. Checking your skin once a month can help you notice changes early, when treatment is often more effective.
A helpful guide is the ABCDE rule for melanoma warning signs:
- A — Asymmetry: One half of a mole or spot does not match the other.
- B — Border: The edges are irregular, blurred, uneven, or ragged.
- C — Color: The color is not the same throughout or includes multiple shades.
- D — Diameter: The spot is larger than about the size of a pencil eraser, although melanomas can be smaller.
- E — Evolving: The mole or spot changes in size, shape, color, or begins itching, bleeding, or crusting.
Not every skin cancer looks the same. You should also pay attention to sores that do not heal, new bumps, scaly patches, bleeding spots, or any skin change that seems unusual for you.
If something looks different, is changing, or simply concerns you, do not ignore it.
Call a Provider If You Notice These Skin Changes
Call your healthcare provider if you notice:
- A mole or spot that changes in size, shape, or color
- A sore that does not heal
- A spot that bleeds, itches, crusts, or becomes painful
- A new skin growth that concerns you
- A mole or spot that looks different from the others
- A sunburn with blistering, fever, chills, confusion, or severe pain
You do not have to decide on your own whether something is serious. If you are concerned, it is worth getting checked.
Your Primary Care Provider Can Help
Many people assume they should only ask a dermatologist about suspicious skin changes. A dermatologist may be needed in some cases, but your primary care provider is often the right first step.
During a routine wellness visit or appointment for another concern, your provider can look at moles or skin changes, talk with you about risk factors, recommend preventive steps, and determine whether a dermatology referral is needed.
Primary care is about more than treating illness after it happens. It is also an opportunity to catch concerns early, answer questions, and help you stay healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sunscreen and Skin Protection
What SPF should I use?
Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum sunscreen helps protect against both UVA and UVB rays.
How often should I reapply sunscreen?
Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours while outdoors. Reapply sooner after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
Do I need sunscreen on cloudy days?
Yes. UV rays can still reach your skin on cloudy or cool days. If you are spending time outdoors, sun protection still matters.
Is water-resistant sunscreen waterproof?
No. Water-resistant sunscreen is not waterproof. It still needs to be reapplied, especially after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.
Should babies wear sunscreen?
Infants younger than 6 months should generally be kept out of direct sunlight. Shade, lightweight protective clothing, and hats are usually the best protection. Ask your child’s healthcare provider if you have questions about sunscreen use for an infant.
Can medicine make me sunburn more easily?
Yes. Some prescription medications, over-the-counter medicines, and medicated skin products can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Ask your provider or pharmacist if you need to take extra precautions.
Can my primary care provider check a mole?
Yes. Your primary care provider can evaluate moles and skin changes and help determine whether you need a referral to a dermatologist.
Healthy Habits Today Protect Your Tomorrow
Making sunscreen part of your routine is one of the simplest ways to protect your long-term health. Whether you are working outside, spending the weekend at the lake, cheering from the sidelines, or running errands, a few minutes of sun protection can help reduce your risk of sun damage and skin cancer.
If you have noticed a mole that is changing in size, shape, or color, or if it has been a while since your last wellness visit, Healthy Connections can help.
Our providers offer preventive care for patients of all ages and can evaluate skin concerns as part of your overall health.
To schedule an appointment, call 888.710.8220 or visit healthy-connections.org. Healthy habits today can help protect your health for many summers to come.