You should always try to avoid sunburn. Sunburns age skin cells and increase the risk of solar lentigo (“liver spots”) and skin cancer.6 Prolonged sun exposure (especially during the summer) is associated with all major forms of skin cancers, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
To reduce the risk of sun damage, avoid going out into the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the UV index (a calculation of the intensity of the sun’s UV radiation) is at its highest.
If you have to be outdoors, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen (protects against UVA and UVB radiation) that’s at least SPF 30 and is water-resistant. Be sure also to wear protective clothing (including a hat and sunglasses) and reapply sunscreen every few hours and after swimming.