What to wear to protect your skin from the sun.

Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S., and nearly 20 Americans die from melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, every day.

That's why it's important to dress to protect yourself from the sun. In addition to seeking shade and applying sunscreen, wearing protective clothing can go a long way in protecting you from the sun's harmful UV rays, which can increase your risk for skin cancer. However, not all clothes are created equal when it comes to sun protection. Some clothes provide better UV protection than others.

The right sun-protective outfit:

Provides long-lasting sun protection.
Works great for all skin types and colors.

To help protect your skin from the sun, wear these clothes and accessories outdoors whenever possible:

A wide-brimmed hat with no holes in the fabric.
Pants.
Dark or bright colors.
Sunglasses with UV protection.
Tightly woven fabrics (ones you can't see through).
A lightweight, long-sleeved shirt.

Make sure to apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing.
Reapply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors, or after swimming or sweating.
Don't forget your feet! When wearing sandals, flip-flops, or going barefoot, apply sunscreen to all exposed skin.

Ultraviolet Light and Skin Cancer Risks

Twice as many men die from melanoma than women.

Men under 50 years old have a higher probability of developing melanoma than any other cancer.

Almost 10,000 people EACH DAY in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer, with rates rising exponentially. With skin cancer rates increasing in people younger than 40, it is important to take preventative measures seriously.

Skin cancer does not discriminate; it can affect anyone, regardless of skin color. In fact, in pigmented skin, almost twice as many people suffer from advanced and incurable skin cancer, due to lack of public education about sun-exposure risks in people with skin of color.

Once diagnosed, skin cancer treatment is riddled with after-effects of surgical scars, permanent disfigurement, and high cost of treatment.

More people are diagnosed with skin cancer each year in the U.S. than all other cancers combined

Chance of developing melanoma.

Higher melanoma rates among men may be due in part to lower rates of sun protection. Even one blistering sunburn during childhood or adolescence can nearly double a person’s chance of developing melanoma. Experiencing five or more blistering sunburns between ages 15 and 20 increases one’s melanoma risk by 80 percent and nonmelanoma skin cancer risk by 68 percent. Not only that, having just one melanoma increases your risk of a second melanoma, and is highly associated with the development of other cancers such as thyroid and prostate cancer.