It's that time of year again! School is out, the heat is on, and the sun is shining. It is oh-so tempting to throw caution to the wind and lay yourself out on a big beach blanket to soak up those golden rays. Summer fashions dictate that your skin be bronzed and glowing. Afterall, how good will those summer shorts look if the legs that are wearing them are all winterized and pasty? With terms like "sun kissed" and "healthy glow" regularly used to describe a tan, basking in the sun can't really be all bad, right? Wrong!

Sun tanning can be really dangerous when done without proper protection. Studies have shown that just one bad sunburn in your youth can double your lifetime risk of developing skin cancer. If you are fair skinned, that risk is even greater. Don't make the mistake of thinking that because you are young you can ignore all the warnings about the sun. The damage you do now may come back to haunt you later. Today's teen doesn't need to risk skin cancer to get a gorgeous glow. Sunscreen should be an outdoor must at all times. To help you out, we've put together a summer protection kit of products and fashions just for teens. So get your tan from a bottle and enjoy the sun with a good thick coating of SPF 30 all over your body. You'll look great, stay safe and won't ever have any sun related regrets.

Before you head out to enjoy the summer sunshine:

1. Stay well hydrated, even if you are simply lying around enjoying the warm weather. Dehydration makes your skin more vulnerable to the damaging and drying effects of the sun.


2. Dress for the activity, not for fashion. If you are hiking or being active outdoors consider investing in some SPF rated clothing and keep all unclothed areas well covered with a sweatproof sunscreen. If you are planning on spending a lazy day by the pool, choose a comfortable suit and wear waterproof sunscreen.


3. Know your skin type. Fair people, or people who burn easily, need high SPF protection (30 or higher) and need to drink lots of water when out in the sun. If you have a medium skin tone, or if you burn and then tan, you need an SPF 20 or higher sunscreen and a good after sun cream. Darker skinned people, or those who tan easily, still need an SPF of at least 15 (preferably more). Be honest when deciding on your "type" - SPF according to the skin you have not the skin you wish you had!


4. Apply sunscreen correctly. A good rule to remember is the "25 cent rule": use a generous quarter sized amount of sunscreen for each quarter of your body. Don't skimp on the face, consider using a higher SPF product on your face and neck. Reapply sunscreen after 4-6 hours, after heavy sweating, and after swimming.