No excuse!

While it's fun to be in the sun, letting it shine on unprotected skin is not wise.If you are going to spend much time in the sun -- be it fishing, boating, water skiing, biking, hiking or whatever -- you should take care to protect your skin.Skin cancer is one of the most common -- and dangerous -- types of cancer.The American Cancer Society reports melanoma rates in the United States have doubled in the past 20 years, with about 44,200 new cases of the skin cancer and 7,300 deaths being reported each year. Many scientists believe there might be a connection between sunburns and melanoma later in life.There's no excuse for not wearing sunscreen when spending time outdoors. It could help save your life.Some outdoors enthusiasts don't like the greasy feeling some sunscreens leave on their skin. There are non-greasy formulas available, including alcohol-based sunscreens.The Alabama Cooperative Extension System recommends using a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. It should be applied every two hours.Wearing a hat and tightly woven clothing also helps protect skin.Sunglasses should be worn to protect your eyes. Research has shown that ultraviolet radiation from the sun can increase the likelihood of some cataracts. Have fun in the sun, but take time to protect your skin and eyes.