In 2005, 10 deaths in El Paso County were due to skin cancer. The myths surrounding sun, such as “a tan makes you look healthy” and, “you can’t burn if it’s cloudy or if you have dark skin” are untrue.

This summer, your local health department wants to shine some light on the truth about excess sun exposure. Besides skin cancer, too much sun can cause premature skin aging, cataracts, and a decreased immune system. There is a positive to all of this, however: skin cancer is the most preventable form of the deadly disease.

First, It is important to use multiple forms of sun protection.

The American Cancer Society slogan is: SLIP SLOP SLAP. That means you should 1) slip on a shirt, 2) slop on sunscreen, 3) slap on a hat.

Another way to protect yourself is to minimize direct sunlight during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). If you must be outdoors, seek shade. Health experts remind us all to remember the reflection rule – concrete, sand, water and snow can reflect 85-95% of the sun’s rays.

Too much sun can also harm your eyes, possibly causing cataracts. Health officials suggest wearing sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays.

Here's an important statistic for parents: 23% of lifetime sun exposure occurs before age 18, and one or two blistering sunburns during childhood can double the risk of developing skin cancer.

To help protect your kids, health officials say teach them how to protect themselves by being a role model. Health officials recommend using sunscreen while in the sun; for adults, an SPF of 15 or greater is okay but for children you should use SPF 30 or greater.

To learn more about protecting yourself from the sun this summer, and much more, click on the link below to check out the El Paso County Health Department's website.