The team at AFC Urgent Care Fountain City wants to check in now that we’re midway through the summer to see how your skin is doing. The summer heat and intense sun can wreak havoc on our skin, unless we take steps to protect it. Are you protecting your skin the way you should this summer? Or have you already had a few burns? Regardless, take steps now to protect your skin for the rest of the summer—and beyond. Be Sun Savvy First, try and avoid the sun when the ultraviolet (UV) rays are the most intense, which is usually between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day. If you enjoy exercising outdoors or you need to run errands outside or perform yard work, try to do so either early in the morning or later in the evening. That way you aren’t exposing your skin to the sun when it’s hottest. Of course, sometimes you’re unable to avoid the sun during these hours. That’s why it’s important to protect your skin when you’re outdoors. Tip #1: Use sunscreen whenever you’re outdoors, even if it’s cloudy. Up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays make it to earth even on cloudy days. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to all exposed skin about 30 minutes before you head outside. And don’t just apply sunscreen once. You also need to bring it with you so that you can reapply at least every two hours, or more frequently if you’re swimming or sweating. Tip #2: Protect your eyes and head. Just because you have hair on your head doesn’t mean you can’t get burned. The eyes can also be burned. Therefore, be sure you’re also protecting your eyes and head by wearing the proper gear. For your eyes, make sure to wear sunglasses that are labeled as protective against both UVA and UVB rays. For your head, be sure you bring a large, wide-brimmed hat to help protect not only your head but also add an extra layer of protection for your face, ears and neck. You can—and should—also apply sunscreen to your head. There are specialized sunscreens designed for the scalp, but you can also use normal sunscreen on your head. It’s especially important to apply sunscreen in the part of your hair. Did you suffer a serious sunburn this summer? Visit AFC Urgent Care Fountain City to make sure your sunburn is on the path to healing and doesn’t require additional care.