08/07/2025
A C/DC Guide for Fun in the Sun
CDC-Recommended Skin Protection Protocols to Avoid Sunburn
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has clear, research-backed guidelines to help you enjoy the sun safely and prevent burns. Making these sun-safe habits part of your routine is especially important in sunny climates like Sacramento. CDC sun protection protocols include:
Seek shade during peak sun hours – UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so find shade under an umbrella or tree, especially at midday. Planning outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon can dramatically reduce your UV exposure.
Wear protective clothing – Cover up with long-sleeved shirts and long pants when possible. Tightly woven fabrics and darker colors offer better protection by blocking more UV radiation. In Sacramento’s hot summers, lightweight long-sleeve UPF clothing can keep you cool and safe.
Wear a wide-brimmed hat – A hat with a brim all the way around shields your face, ears, and neck – areas where skin cancers often develop. Skip the baseball cap, which leaves your ears and neck exposed; a wide-brim hat is best for comprehensive protection.
Use UV-blocking sunglasses – Protect your eyes and the sensitive skin around them with wraparound sunglasses that block 100% of UVA and UVB rays. This helps prevent cataracts and other eye damage, as well as wrinkles around the eyes. Fortunately, most sunglasses sold in the U.S. (even inexpensive ones) meet this UV-blocking standard.
Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) – Cover all exposed skin with a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least SPF 15 (many experts recommend SPF 30+ for adequate protection) about 15 minutes before going outside. “Broad-spectrum” means the sunscreen filters both UVA and UVB rays. Don’t skimp – use about an ounce (a shot-glass full) of sunscreen to cover your body, and reapply every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating. Remember to cover easy-to-miss spots like your ears, the back of your neck, tops of feet, and even your lips (use an SPF lip balm).
Avoid indoor tanning beds – Tanning beds emit dangerous UV radiation. The CDC cautions that indoor tanning is particularly risky – people who start tanning young are at a much higher risk of melanoma. Embrace your natural skin tone or use sunless tanning products if you want a bronzed look, but don’t use UV tanning beds.
Protect children and those with sensitive skin – Children’s skin is especially sensitive to UV damage, and sun exposure in childhood increases cancer risk later in life. Keep babies under 6 months out of direct sun entirely if possible (their skin is too sensitive for most sunscreen). For older kids, apply child-safe sunscreen, dress them in hats and UV-protective clothing, and seek shade during playtime. As the CDC notes, consider extra precautions to protect your children – teaching them sun-safe habits early will benefit them for a lifetime.
Quick Tips for Sunburn First Aid
Sometimes sunburn happens despite our best efforts. If you or a family member do get burned, prompt care can ease discomfort and support recovery. The CDC and dermatologists recommend that you get out of the sun immediately and take these steps for minor sunburn relief:
Cool the skin: Take frequent cool (not cold) baths or showers, or apply cool wet compresses to the burned area to draw out heat. This can help relieve pain and prevent the burn from worsening.
Soothe and moisturize: After cooling, gently pat the skin dry and apply a moisturizing cream or aloe vera gel to hydrate the skin. Aloe vera has natural anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe redness. Over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone cream may also reduce inflammation and itching on small areas.
Stay hydrated and avoid further UV: Sunburn draws fluid to the skin’s surface and away from the rest of the body, so drink extra water to prevent dehydration. And keep the burned area out of the sun until it’s fully healed – cover up with clothing or stay indoors to avoid compounding the damage.
Don’t pop blisters: If your sunburn is severe enough to cause blisters, that means you have a second-degree burn. Do not pop or pick at blisters, as they protect against infection. Lightly bandage blistered areas if needed. If you have extensive blistering, fever, chills, or feel dizzy, seek medical attention.
These first-aid measures can provide comfort, but keep in mind that while remedies like cool baths, aloe, or ibuprofen can ease symptoms, they don’t speed up the skin’s healing significantly. That’s where Enlighten Red Light Therapy comes in – it doesn’t just soothe the burn; it helps repair it.
