Sun safety tips for the whole family

Babies younger than 6 months old aren't ready for sunscreen, so avoid direct sunlight until then and talk to your pediatrician for more tips.

For babies 6 months and older, choose a Broad Spectrum mineral sunscreen for babies that's gentle and fragrance-free. (Mineral sunscreens scatter and absorb harmful UVA/UVB rays.)

When going out into the sun, dress little ones in lightweight, long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Don't forget a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses! When you're in the car, put your baby in the middle seat to minimize UVA rays that can pass right through windows (most car windows already block UVB rays). You can also apply a UV-blocking film to your windows.

When playing outside, seek shade and shelter. Look for trees or shade structures like awnings or gazebos, and add a sunshade or umbrella to your stroller.

In order for kids to have proper sun safety, sometimes it needs to be a game. Apply the sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure. Dot sunscreen all over your kids, and race to see who can rub it in fastest—or let them "paint" each other. Set a timer for when it's time to reapply (at least every 2 hours), and celebrate "sunscreen time" with a snack or special activity.

Try a sunscreen spray formulated to work on wet skin, to keep even the squirmiest kids protected between cannonballs—with no toweling off required.

At school or camp ensure your little one is prepared with a hat, sunglasses and extra sunscreen if allowed. Most importantly, encourage sun safety by setting a good example for your kids.

In order to follow sun safety measures, teens may need a little more motivation and push.

When choosing a sunscreen, consider their skin type. Fear of breakouts may cause teens to skip the sunscreen, so suggest break-out-free sun protection.

Appeal to their vanity
Explain to your teen that sunscreen helps prevent not only skin cancer, but also signs of premature skin aging. Let them pick out sun protection they like and will actually want to wear.

Help them play protected. Slip a sports sunscreen into your teen's beach or equipment bag so they are always covered. Choose a non-sticky sunscreen that feels good on skin, so they're more likely to use it.

If your teen can't face summer without a tan, encourage gradual (and sunless) tan-building lotions to avoid harmful tanning bed UV radiation.

Many adults understand the importance of sun protection, but these important tips should not be forgotten.

Makeups with SPF are good for everyday protection—but for extended sun exposure, boost your sun safety with a lightweight Broad Spectrum sunscreen.