Too much time spent in the hot summer sun not only weakens your skin's support system, causing aging and wrinkles, it also damages DNA, which ups your skin cancer risk.
"You’re causing damage inside the actual DNA of the cells themselves," says dermatologist Jennifer Lucas, MD, of Cleveland Clinic. "So, in their genetic makeup, you're causing 'insults'…if you continue to expose it to more of the radiation or the sun’s rays, you’re making more damage."
You can't hide from the sun forever, but you can take measures to protect yourself from harmful rays. Dr. Lucas stresses using sunscreen, avoiding the direct rays of the sun when it's strongest, and seeking shade when you can.
Use a golf-ball-size amount of sunscreen when you're outdoors, and remember to reapply about every 90 minutes.