Reflected light may burn areas which are usually shaded, such as those under the nose or chin. Clothing is important. Colored clothing and denser-woven clothing allow less light penetration. These allow protection with long sleeves in warm weather. With time this type of clothing may become less expensive and more common.
Hats are essential.
Hats with brims at least 3 inches wide all the way around are best for protecting the face, ears, and neck. Hats with narrower brims, such as tennis hats, at least protect the ears. These problems are a cause for concern, but not alarm. Actinic changes include fine wrinkling, yellowish discoloration, leathery thickening, and dilated capillaries branches, which appear as clusters of tiny red streaks on the skin surface. The best treatment for these actinic changes is prevention.