Sun Exposure | Sunburn | UV rays

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itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="1"/> </div> <div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Health Topics</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="2"/> </div> <div> <span>Sun Exposure</span> </div> </div> </div> <span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/sunexposure.html</span> <div id="topic"> <article> <div class="page-info"> <div class="page-title syndicate"> <a id="start" name="start"></a> <h1 itemprop="name" class="with-also"> Sun Exposure </h1> <span class="alsocalled">Also called: Sunburn</span> </div> <div class="page-actions"></div> </div> <div class="main"> <section id="toc-section"> <div id="table-of-contents"> <span class="toc-label">On this page</span> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Basics</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Summary" href="#summary">Summary</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Start Here" href="#cat_51">Start Here</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Prevention and Risk Factors" href="#cat_93">Prevention and Risk Factors</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Treatments and Therapies" href="#cat_78">Treatments and Therapies</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Learn More</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Related Issues" href="#cat_47">Related Issues</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Specifics" href="#cat_42">Specifics</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="evencols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>See, Play and Learn</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Images" href="#cat_80">Images</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Videos and Tutorials" href="#cat_94">Videos and Tutorials</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="threecols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Research</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Clinical Trials" href="#cat_27">Clinical Trials</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Journal Articles" href="#cat_59">Journal Articles</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="evencols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Resources</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Find an Expert" href="#cat_83">Find an Expert</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>For You</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Children" href="#cat_8">Children</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Patient Handouts" href="#cat_69">Patient Handouts</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="summary"></a> <section id="topsum_section"> <div class="summary-title syndicate"> <h2>Summary</h2> </div> <div id="topic-summary" class="syndicate"><p>Ultraviolet (UV) rays are an invisible form of radiation. They can pass through your skin and damage your skin cells. Sunburns are a sign of skin damage. <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/tanning.html">Suntans</a> aren't healthy, either. They appear after the sun's rays have already killed some cells and damaged others. UV rays can cause skin damage during any season or at any temperature. They can also cause eye problems, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/skinaging.html">wrinkles</a>, skin spots, and <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/skincancer.html">skin cancer</a>.</p> <p>To protect yourself :</p><ul> <li> Stay out of the sun when it is strongest (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.)</li> <li> Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher </li> <li> Wear protective clothing </li> <li> Wear wraparound sunglasses that provide 100% UV ray protection</li> <li> Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds </li> </ul> <p>Check your skin regularly for changes in the size, shape, color, or feel of birthmarks, moles, and spots. Such changes are a sign of skin cancer. </p> <p class="attribution">Food and Drug Administration</p></div> </section> <a name="cat_51"></a> <section id="cat_51_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header expanded"> <div class="section-title syndicate"> <h2>Start Here </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section51" class="section-body expanded syndicate" aria-expanded="true"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/sunsafety/health-effects-uv-radiation" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="21242" >Health Effects of UV Radiation</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Environmental Protection Agency)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://espanol.epa.gov/espanol/efectos-de-la-radiacion-uv-en-la-salud" data-sid="41237">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://skinsight.com/disease-groups/sun-damage/?Imiw9cApl" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="67048" >Sun Damage</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (VisualDX)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sunburn/symptoms-causes/syc-20355922?p=1" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="158407" >Sunburn</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/sunburn/symptoms-causes/syc-20355922?p=1" data-sid="158408">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_93"></a> <section id="cat_93_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Prevention and Risk Factors </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section93" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2010-116/pdfs/2010-116.pdf" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="94769" >Protecting Yourself from Sun Exposure</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health)</span> - <span class="desccode">PDF</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cdc.gov/spanish/niosh/docs/2010-116_sp/pdfs/2010-116_sp.pdf" data-sid="103215">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/sun-safety/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="113218" >Sun Safety Facts</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cdc.gov/skin-cancer/es/sun-safety/" data-sid="118792">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.fda.gov/drugs/understanding-over-counter-medicines/sunscreen-how-help-protect-your-skin-sun" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="134106" >Sunscreen: How to Help Protect Your Skin from the Sun</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Food and Drug Administration)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/tips-stay-safe-sun-sunscreen-sunglasses" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="156266" >Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun: From Sunscreen to Sunglasses</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="20" height="16" alt="Video" title="Video" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/videocamera.gif" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (Food and Drug Administration)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/articulos-para-el-consumidor-en-espanol/consejos-para-mantenerse-seguro-bajo-el-sol-desde-la-proteccion-solar-hasta-las-gafas-de-sol" data-sid="121176">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_78"></a> <section id="cat_78_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Treatments and Therapies </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section78" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/injured-skin/burns/treat-sunburn?NoAds" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="114324" >How to Treat Sunburn</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Academy of Dermatology)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_47"></a> <section id="cat_47_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Related Issues </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section47" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://skinsight.com/skin-conditions/actinic-cheilitis/?Imiw9cApl=1" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="66657" >Actinic Cheilitis</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (VisualDX)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://skinsight.com/skin-conditions/actinic-keratosis-solar-keratosis/?Imiw9cApl=1" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="66640" >Actinic Keratosis (Solar Keratosis)</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (VisualDX)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://skinsight.com/skin-conditions/cutaneous-horn/?Imiw9cApl=1" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="66668" >Cutaneous Horn</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (VisualDX)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://skinsight.com/skin-conditions/poikiloderma-of-civatte/?Imiw9cApl=1" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="66753" >Poikiloderma of Civatte</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (VisualDX)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-Consumer/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="93362" data-org="NIH">Vitamin D</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-DatosEnEspanol/" data-sid="96673">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_42"></a> <section id="cat_42_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Specifics </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section42" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sun-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20378077?p=1" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="94768" >Sun Allergy</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/diseases-conditions/sun-allergy/symptoms-causes/syc-20378077?p=1" data-sid="130244">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/sun" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="14820" >Sun, UV Light, and Your Eyes</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Academy of Ophthalmology)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.aao.org/salud-ocular/consejos/el-sol-la-radiacion-uv-y-sus-ojos" data-sid="121177">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_80"></a> <section id="cat_80_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Images </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section80" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://skinsight.com/skin-conditions/sunburn/?Imiw9cApl=1" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="66768" >Sunburn</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (VisualDX)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_94"></a> <section id="cat_94_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Videos and Tutorials </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section94" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/anatomyvideos/000125.htm" data-sid="90302" >Sun's effect on skin</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="20" height="16" alt="Video" title="Video" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/videocamera.gif" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/anatomyvideos/000125.htm" data-sid="90342">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_27"></a> <section id="cat_27_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Clinical Trials </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section27" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=%22Keratosis,+Actinic%22&aggFilters=status:not%20rec" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="89152" data-org="NIH">ClinicalTrials.gov: Keratosis, Actinic</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institutes of Health)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?cond=%22Sunscreening+Agents%22&aggFilters=status:not%20rec" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="100980" data-org="NIH">ClinicalTrials.gov: Sunscreening Agents</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institutes of Health)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_59"></a> <section id="cat_59_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Journal Articles <span class="subheading">References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)</span> </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section59" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39769924" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="21839" >Article: Organic Sunscreens-Is Their Placenta Permeability the Only Issue Associated with Exposure...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39727716" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="21839" >Article: Investigating Skin Cancer Risk and Sun Safety Practices Among LGBTQ+ Communities...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39663828" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="21839" >Article: Effectiveness of cross-sector collaboration in strategy implementation and impact: Evaluation of...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Sunbathing%22%5Bmajr%3Anoexp%5D+OR+%22Sunburn%22%5Bmajr%3Anoexp%5D+OR+%22Sunscreening+Agents%22%5Bmajr%3Anoexp%5D+AND+humans%5Bmh%5D+AND+english%5Bla%5D+AND+%22last+1+Year%22+%5Bedat%5D+NOT+%28letter%5Bpt%5D+OR+case+reports%5Bpt%5D+OR+editorial%5Bpt%5D+OR+comment%5Bpt%5D%29+AND+free+full+text%5Bsb%5D+" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="21839" >Sun Exposure -- see more articles</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_83"></a> <section id="cat_83_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Find an Expert </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section83" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.aad.org/?NoAds" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="1233" >American Academy of Dermatology</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="1226" >Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cdc.gov/spanish/" data-sid="33974">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.epa.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="9670" >Environmental Protection Agency</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://espanol.epa.gov/" data-sid="50788">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_8"></a> <section id="cat_8_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Children </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section8" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/should-you-put-sunscreen-infants-not-usually" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="105627" >Should You Put Sunscreen on Infants? Not Usually</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Food and Drug Administration)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/articulos-para-el-consumidor-en-espanol/debe-ponerles-protector-solar-los-bebes-por-lo-general-no" data-sid="113859">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_69"></a> <section id="cat_69_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Patient Handouts </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section69" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000827.htm" data-sid="81438" >Actinic keratosis</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/000827.htm" data-sid="86993">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001477.htm" data-sid="82562" >Polymorphic light eruption</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/001477.htm" data-sid="87174">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003227.htm" data-sid="82923" >Sunburn</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/article/003227.htm" data-sid="85163">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div class="side"> <aside> <section id="ht-img-section"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header hide-offscreen"> <h2>Topic Image</h2> </div> <div class="section-body no-header"> <img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/SunExposure.jpg" title="Sun Exposure" alt="Sun Exposure" /> </div> </div> </section> <section id="encyclopedia-box"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header red"> <h2>MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA</h2> </div> <div id="more_encyclopedia" class="section-body"> <ul> <li><a data-sid="81438" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000827.htm">Actinic keratosis</a></li> <li><a data-sid="82562" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001477.htm">Polymorphic light eruption</a></li> <li><a data-sid="90302" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/anatomyvideos/000125.htm">Sun's effect on skin</a></li> <li><a data-sid="82923" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003227.htm">Sunburn</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section id="related-topics"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>Related Health Topics</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> <ul id="related"> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/heatillness.html">Heat Illness</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/melanoma.html">Melanoma</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/skincancer.html">Skin Cancer</a></li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/tanning.html">Tanning</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section id="primary-institute-section"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>National Institutes of Health</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> The primary NIH organization for research on <span class="italic">Sun Exposure</span> is the <a href="http://www.cancer.gov/" target="TheNewWin">National Cancer Institute</a> </div> </div> </section> <section id="foreign-languages"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>Other Languages</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> Find <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/languages/sunexposure.html">health information in languages other than English</a> on <em>Sun Exposure</em> </div> </div> </section> <section id="magazine-box"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>NIH MedlinePlus Magazine</h2> </div> <div id="more_magazine" class="section-body"> <ul> <li><a data-sid="157771" href="https://magazine.medlineplus.gov/article/sunscreen-in-the-winter" target="_blank">Sunscreen in the Winter?</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header hide-offscreen"> <h2>Disclaimers</h2> </div> <div class="section-body no-header"> MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/disclaimers.html">disclaimer</a> about external links and our <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/criteria.html">quality guidelines</a>. </div> </div> </section> </aside> </div> <div class="page-action-bottom"> <div class="page-actions"></div> </div> </article> </div> <p>The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. 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They can pass through your skin and damage your skin cells. Sunburns are a sign of skin damage. Suntans aren\u0027t healthy, either. They appear after the sun\u0027s rays have already killed some cells and damaged others. UV rays can cause skin damage during any season or at any temperature. They can also cause eye problems, wrinkles, skin spots, and skin cancer.\u000A\u000ATo protect yourself :\u000A\u0009Stay out of the sun when it is strongest (between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.)\u000A\u0009Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher \u000A\u0009Wear protective clothing \u000A\u0009Wear wraparound sunglasses that provide 100% UV ray protection\u000A\u0009Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds \u000A\u000ACheck your skin regularly for changes in the size, shape, color, or feel of birthmarks, moles, and spots. Such changes are a sign of skin cancer. \u000A\u000AFood and Drug Administration", "primaryImageOfPage": { "@type": "ImageObject", "contentUrl": "https://medlineplus.gov/images/SunExposure.jpg" }, "url": "https://medlineplus.gov/sunexposure.html" } ] </script> </body> </html>

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