No such thing as a safe tan

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It's one of the most often repeated (and dreaded) phrases of the summer: "Don't forget your sunscreen!" It's a real hassle to spend 10 minutes slathering it on — hey, those minutes are better spent soaking up some precious rays, right? — but those 10 minutes can help protect you from sunburns and more serious or even lifethreatening skin conditions later in life.

Unprotected exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays is one of the risk factors for developing skin cancer, which is the most common form of cancer in Canada, according to the Canadian Cancer Society. The risk of skin cancer today is much greater than it was 20 years ago. This risk continues to increase because we are exposed to more ultraviolet (UV) rays as pollution and chemicals thin the protective ozone layer around the Earth.

You don't even need to be lounging by the pool or splayed out on the beach to be exposed to these harmful rays. According to the American Cancer Society, brief sun exposures all year can really add up — especially for fair-skinned people. Even just driving during the sun's most intense hours can be very harmful to your skin.

No one is immune to skin cancer, but it is really easy to take steps to prevent it. Keeping to these tips, collected from the Canadian Cancer Society and Health Canada, can help you reduce your risk and keep your skin looking healthy, young and sunburn-free.

- Slather on that sunscreen! Wear an SPF of at least 15 and apply it generously. Don't forget to reapply every two hours, after swimming or after sweating.

- Keep out of the sun — or increase your protection — between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are at their most harmful.

- Take shade breaks to reduce your exposure.

- Lightweight, loose-fitting clothing provides minimal sun protection — around an SPF of 4 — but every little bit helps! Just don't rely on clothing for complete protection.

- A wide-brimmed hat can protect your scalp, neck, ears and face. This is fantastic protection because those areas are most vulnerable and are often where skin cancer begins. A baseball cap will not give you the same amount of protection.

- Wear sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection to keep your peepers in top shape. Shades with lenses that are medium to dark in colour (with grey, brown or green tints) offer the best protection.

- Check your skin on a regular basis. Look for changes in shape or colour in moles and birthmarks, new growths on your skin and sores that do not heal. If you notice any of these things, please contact your doctor.

Keep your summer safe by protecting your skin.