Many people believe some tall tales about tanning and the effects of the sun.  Some of the myths people believe are:

1. You cannot tan or burn if the weather is cloudy or rainy. This, of course, is completely false. Clouds do filter a small amount of UV light, but not enough to affect damage to skin. It is certainly possible to tan or burn even in cloudy, overcast weather, particularly without using sunscreen.

2. It is not possible to burn while in the water.  So untrue.  You may lulled into thinking you are safe because the water in cool on your hot skin.  The infrared rays from the sun cause the heat you feel and the water does help with that.  However, it’s the UV rays that cause tanning and burning and are not blocked by the water.  To complicate matters, while you are in the water sunscreen will be washed off of your body.  It is best to use water resistant sunscreen and reapply every hour if you are in and out of the water.

3. Hats and umbrellas will keep me from burning.  While they do help, the sun still does penetrate through the fabric.  Yes, it is still good to use hats, umbrellas and light clothing however, it is very important to continue to wear sunscreen to prevent any burning and to sit in the shade whenever possible.

4. Baby oil and mineral oil helps with tanning faster.  Not true.  Oils not only do not accelerate tanning but the lack of sunscreen in the oils will make it easier to get sun damage and burn.

5. Moisturizer will stop my sunburned skin from peeling.  This is not true.  Once skin is burned, the skin is in essence “dead” and it will peel.  Moisturizer may help to reduce the appearance of peeling and will help to replace some of the water of new and exposed skin, however it will not stop the peeling.

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