Protection from the harmful effects of UVR is possible. The most practical precaution against most UVR exposure is finely woven clothing. Wear a hat that protects the face and back of the neck. Wrap-around ski goggles with appropriate UV protection can protect skin around the eyes, as well. Using sunscreens can help reduce the harmful effects of UVR exposure.
Many lip balms come with sunscreen protection and can help prevent cracking and burning.
Some people are skin-sensitive, and sunscreens are not recommended for children under the age of 6 months. The reduction over the last 20 years in the stratospheric ozone layer which helps filter damaging ultraviolet radiation from the sun means even greater amounts of UVR reach the earth s surface, in turn heightening the risk of developing skin cancer. Tanning is the result of the skin s increased production of natural pigment. It is the body s way of responding to the injury caused by the sun s invisible, UVR that has penetrated the inner layer of the skin. While it is true that the beneficial effect of UVR exposure is the natural production of vitamin D, the harmful effects of UVR are known to cause a variety of skin disorders and have been linked to various kinds of skin cancer.