Keeping Teens Safe in the Sun

Teens often enjoy the sun without worrying about wrinkles, sun damage, or skin cancer, but experts say that parents should have a conversation with their children about staying safe while outdoors during the warmer months. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the following for teens: stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun rays are at their strongest; wear light clothing with tightly-woven fabric that can reflect sun’s rays; wear a widebrimmed hat and sunglasses; apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen every day before going outdoors, and reapply it throughout the day; make sure it’s applied to the entire body, including the tops of the ears and feet; regularly check skin for moles that look suspicious, and point any out to a parent or doctor. American Academy of Pediatrics, May 2017