In my part of the globe, summer will soon be over. But since the northern hemisphere summer is still yet to come, it isn't too late for this new warning about the sun and skin cancer.

The best ways of avoiding skin cancer and the aging effects of the sun is not by putting on more sunscreen but rather avoiding direct sunlight and wearing clothes which stop harmful UV rays from reaching the skin.

What?! No nude sunbathing?

According to a comprehensive review on sun protection strategies around the world carried out by Dr Stephan Lautenschlager, Outpatient Clinic of Dermatology, Triemli Hospital, Zurich, Switzerland, and colleagues:

"Wearing sun protective clothes and a hat and reducing sun exposure to a minimum - should be preferred to sunscreens. Often this solution is deemed to be unacceptable in our global, outdoor society, and sunscreens could become the predominant mode of sun protection for various societal reasons, for example healthiness of a tan, relaxation in the sun."

The authors of the said review also warned that the use of sunscreen shouldn't be abused as an excuse to stay out in the sun longer.

OR...like me, you can hit the beach at early morning or late afternoon when the heat of the sun isn't as scorching as in the middle of the day. Besides, you only want a tan, and not sunburn and skin cancer.

So...be careful not to have too much sun this summer.

Source: Science Daily

Full article can be found at the early online edition of The Lancet (registration required).

[In photo: Me and my 4 year-old son on the beach last week one late afternoon]