Sun Protection Tips on the Emerald Coast

The Florida sun shines bright and even through clouds, it can burn and damage skin in just a matter of minutes.

• Get rid of sunscreen past its expiration date or is more than two years old.
• For infants, look for the ingredients zinc and / or titanium dioxide in sunscreen.

• To protect your head, use a combination of sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Don’t forget to protect the ears, back of the neck, lips and the scalp at the part in the hair.
• Consider sunglasses labeled as blocking 99% or 100% of UVA and UVB, or as providing UV absorption up to 400 nm.
• Wear tightly woven darker clothing in the sun because it reflects more UV rays and look for fabrics made of nylon or Dacron that are more protective than cotton.
• Water, sand and even porch decks can reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the sun so keep reflective areas in mind.

• The sun is strongest between 10 am and 4 pm so if your shadow appears to be shorter than you are, seek shade.
• People with naturally darker skin aren’t immune to the effects of the sun and can still burn.
• Whatever type of sunscreen you prefer (gel and cream are the best choices), be sure to reapply every two to three hours during times of prolonged exposure.