By Robert Ambrose

Ever get sunburned? That is a very unhealthy event. While the pain fades, the long-term skin damage is inset in the skin. Even mellow tans are not healthy.

As we head into summer, what can be done? Cover up your skin in the sun, even in winter. In fact, Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap – which means slip on a shirt, slop on sunscreen, slap on a hat and wrap sunglasses.

Why is that sun so dangerous? The ultraviolet (UV) rays cause skin cancer, cataracts, immune system pause and will make you look old faster than normal. In fact, the Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that 90% of skin aging is due to the sun.

Instead of risking skin cancer, do not get sun-burned. Skip all tanning beds, make sure your sunscreen has at least Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15. Use preferably more than the minimum recommended SPF 15. (I use 50 and later I will explain why). If possible, head for cover between 10 a.m.-4 p.m.– when the sun is most intense. Since the sun’s UV rays reflect, use caution around water, sand and snow. Plan activities according to the UV Index for that day (just google “UV Index” and it tells you the times when sunshine is most dangerous).

So you hear about “getting Vitamin D.” Instead of rationalize the facts away to head for the sun, tap vitamin D through supplements and fortified foods.

If you have a baby, then avoid sun exposure totally. Cover the baby up if you must go out.

An estimated one in five Americans will develop skin cancer sometime in their lifetime. Do not let that one be you. While it may be bad taste to discuss what happens if we get too much sunshine, we can say it’s not fun to report to the doctor’s office multiple times. Unfortunately, I know this from a family member’s experience. When it comes to the sun, I’m out. When I have to be in, I always Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap! (i.e., shirt, sunscreen, hat and sunglasses).

Keep the sunshine in your head not on it.