A million new skin cancer cases were reported in the United States in 2008. The most serious skin cancer is melanoma, which ills thousands annually. One 10-year study shows that melanoma is on the rise in the U.S., with the biggest increase among men over age 65. Protect yourself with the following tips.
 

1. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before heading outdoors. If you wait until your skin feels warm in the sun, you’ve already received a dose of UV.
2. Use sunscreen that offers both UVA and UVB protection.
3. A sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher is best. SPF 15 is the minimum level of protection you should consider.
4. Reapply sunscreen liberally at least every two hours or after swimming, sweating, or towel drying. Even products labeled “water-resistant” often lose their effectiveness after 40 minutes in the water.