There are many ways we can avoid UVR or at least reduce the amount of UVR we are exposed to. The best protection is to stay indoors away from windows, but this is neither feasible nor desirable. When in the sun we can wear sun protective clothing, hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. We can also:

• avoid sun exposure when the sun is highest - UVR levels are greatest between 10am and 2pm.
• wear clothing that covers any exposed skin
• wear a hat that covers or shades the eyes, face, ears and back of neck
• apply a sunscreen of at least SPF 15 to unprotected skin and reapply every two hours
  • select a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB
  • shake the sunscreen before applying
  • wear sunscreen even on cloudy days or in water
  • wear sunscreen when near water, snow or at high altitudes
  • apply to 'forgotten' areas such as around eyes, ears, mouth, and top of head if thinning or balding
  • reapply sunscreen after swimming or perspiring
  • take particular care to protect babies and children. Most people receive 80 percent of the UVR they will receive in their lifetime before the age of 18 years
  • select a sunscreen that is nontoxic to you and to the environment
• wear UV protective sunglasses when outside and choose a style of glasses such as wrap around, that prevent UVR reaching the eyes from the sides
• choose to be in the shade where possible, where you cannot see the open sky directly.