Beat the Florida Sun: Your Essential Guide to Year-Round Sunscreen Protection

Living in the Sunshine State has incredible perks, but Florida's year-round UV exposure demands serious sun safety. Skin damage can occur from as little as 15 minutes of unprotected sun exposure, and UV radiation can reach us even on cool, hazy, and cloudy days.

Skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States, can affect anyone, regardless of color. In fact, one in five Americans will develop skin cancer by age 70. But the good news is that you can enjoy the sun while minimizing your risk for skin cancer associated with UV exposure.

Dr. Audrey Wagner, a family medicine physician with Lee Health, says, "Enjoy the sun, get out, enjoy your life, but do it safely." Read on to learn how Dr. Wagner helps you do just that.

Understanding UV radiation 

UV radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation emitted by the sun. While our atmosphere absorbs some of these rays, UV radiation still reaches the Earth's surface and can cause damage to our skin and eyes. 

There are three types of UV radiation: ultraviolet A (UVA), ultraviolet B (UVB), and ultraviolet C (UVC). UVA and UVB rays penetrate the atmosphere and can cause long-term damage, including premature skin aging, wrinkles, and an increased risk of skin cancer. UVC rays are absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere and don’t reach the surface.

Florida's sun is different: Understanding UVA and UVB rays

Florida’s UV levels remain dangerously high, even in winter months during peak hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In most states further from the equator, UV radiation drops significantly in the fall and winter; people can often go without sunscreen during the colder months. 

But as Dr. Wagner notes, “UV rays are present all year round in Southwest Florida. They’re strong in January as well.” This means there’s no "off-season" for sun protection, and daily sunscreen becomes a necessity for 365 days a year, not just a summer habit.

The science behind sun damage

Sunburns, especially at younger ages, are strong predictors of future skin cancers, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The deadliest form of cancer is melanoma. Research shows that experiencing five or more blistering sunburns between the ages of 15 and 20 increases melanoma risk by 80 percent and nonmelanoma skin cancer risk by 68 percent.

In Florida, this research matters because 17 percent of Florida residents reported having a sunburn within the last year, with adults aged 18-44 years old nearly twice as likely to experience sunburn (33 percent). 

Dr. Wagner emphasizes that sun protection isn't optional in Florida—it's essential prevention against future cancer, especially for young people.

The amount of melanin in your skin does not exclude you from the risks associated with skin cancer and not wearing sunscreen, she cautions. She recommends using a product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30. SPF measures how well a sunscreen protects skin from UVB rays, which cause sunburn. (A higher SPF number means the sunscreen will allow less UVB rays to reach the skin, providing a longer period of protection before burning.) 

“Wear sunscreen every day,” Dr. Wagner advises. “The UV light is strongest in the summer, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.”

WATCH HEALTH MATTERS: Dr. Wagner discusses the importance of using sunscreen

She also emphasizes the importance of using broad-spectrum sunscreen, which protects against both types of harmful rays, not just UVB rays.  

Your Florida sunscreen strategy

Studies demonstrate that regular daily use of SPF 15 or higher sunscreen (Dr. Wagner recommends a minimum SPF 30) reduces the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40 percent when used as directed. 

Squamous cell carcinoma is the second-most common form of skin cancer, after basal cell carcinoma. This form of skin cancer is directly caused by cumulative UV exposure, making it an ideal target for sunscreen prevention.

To learn more about the three types of skin cancer and how they develop, go here. 

Optimize your sunscreen strategy

Pick a sunscreen formula that's right for your skin and planned activities.

• Select the right product: Minimum SPF 30 (Dr. Wagner's recommendation)
• Choose a broad-spectrum formula that blocks both UVA and UVB rays
• For acne-prone skin, use a non-comedogenic sunscreen that won’t block or clog your skin pores
• If you plan to swim or sweat, select a water-resistant sunscreen to maintain protection in these conditions.

Apply it right

• The CDC recommends putting on a thick layer of broad-spectrum sunscreen on all exposed skin before going outside and getting help for hard-to-reach places like your back.
• Reapplication is key, Dr. Wagner says. Sunscreen wears off and should be reapplied if you stay out in the sun for more than 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
• Avoid combining your products. Dr. Wagner notes that using a product that mixes bug spray and sunscreen in one product isn’t a good idea. “DEET (the active ingredient in some common repellents used to repel biting insects) reduces SPF effectiveness.”

Special considerations for families

For children and infants, Dr. Wagner recommends mineral sunscreens (containing zinc and titanium dioxide) for children over 6 months old. 

“They act as a reflection of the sunlight on the skin. You may not see it, but it's essentially like a mirror bouncing those UV lights back away from the cells and preventing the damage,” she says.

For babies under 6 months, the FDA recommends keeping infants out of the sun during midday and using protective clothing.

Other sun-safe habits to reduce your risk of skin cancer

Wearing protective clothing, such as hats and sunglasses, can also provide additional protection from the sun's harmful rays. Here are other sun-safe habits that can protect you:

• Protect your eyes. Even though we often remember to put on sunscreen for our skin, we might forget how crucial it is to shield our eyes from UV rays. Spending too much time in the sun can raise the chances of having eye problems like cataracts, macular degeneration, and even certain types of eye cancer. It's essential to protect your eyes from the sun's harmful rays to keep them healthy.
• Seek shade: Especially during the peak hours of UV radiation between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., seek shade whenever possible.
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to avoid dehydration.
• Check the UV index: Plan your outdoor activities around the UV index. Higher values indicate greater risk from UV exposure.