Summer time is nearing and that means hotter temperatures and higher ultraviolet radiation from the sun are here as well – the risk for sunburn is much greater and for a fair skinned redhead like myself, this spells danger.

 When enjoying the sites of America’s Caribbean at the quaint Key West bed & breakfast the Tropical Inn, be sure to lather up with some top-quality skin care products to protect yourself and your family from the dangers…and pain…of too much sun exposure.

And being on the water makes wearing sunscreen all the more critical…rays reflecting off the water can be a double whammy…even on overcast days when you least expect your skin to burn.

There are several ways to avoid sunburn according to the Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta…first, limit time in the sun during peak hours (10 AM – 3 PM) and wear protective clothing like wide-brimmed hats and a shirt that covers your arms.

Finally, if you must be in the sun…say sunning on the beach…be sure you lather up real good with sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of at least 15.

Based on my experience, if you’re fair skinned, a SPF 30 is the absolute minimum. The higher the SPF the better…I generally wear at least a 45-50 SPF when I’m outside for longer than a few minutes.

And that’s the key - it only takes a few minutes for your skin to burn in the summer. So keep on top of taking care of your skin…the alternative is very painful and will surely ruin time that can be better spent relaxing and taking in the sites.