About 60,000 people each year are diagnosed with some form of skin cancer, and we want to help you learn how to treat your red and itchy skin to avoid this! Well, that and show you some really easy ways to look cute despite being a different color than most members of the human race:

Keep skin hydrated: If your first shower after the beach left you with tears in your eyes because the water stung so bad, you need to keep your skin hydrated with lotion. The most soothing gels and lotions have aloe vera in them, and this will help soothe your skin and prevent itchiness (and therefore scratching and scarring). You can also use hydrocortisone if your burns are really bad.

Drink liquids with vitamins: Water helps to keep your skin hydrated, but is also really important to keep you hydrated after a long day in the sun. To get the most bang for your buck, be sure to drink things with vitamins C and E in them, as they are crucial in repairing damaged skin cells and ensuring that your body is healthy once your sunburn clears up.

Exfoliate: GENTLY buff away the dead skin. Don’t do this too roughly, as it will irritate your body, but just enough to make sure that the skin cells underneath are not trapped. And you’re not flaking off on your couch/bed/friends for the next two weeks.

See a doctor: This is only if you experience blisters, fever, faintness, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or nausea. This could be indicative of sun poisoning. Also, be sure to see a dermatologist regularly to get scanned for potentially harmful freckles and moles. The more often you do this (yearly?) the better your chances of catching anything serious early on.

Ugly tan lines: The next time you’re out in the sun, wear a wife beater over your top. You will not burn this way, and it still allows your arms to get some color while the lines on your shoulders even out. If you’re going out at night and want to disguise that burn line, think halter tops; they cover the same lines that will have burned in most bikini tops, and, let’s face it, they’re sexy as hell.

Make-up: Rub some foundation into your normal moisturizer (my choice is CoverGirl TruBlend). When you mix the two and apply moisturizer as you normally would, it hides any uneven skin tones and makes you look tan despite your UV mishaps. Spread it down your neck and across the tops of your shoulders so that you won’t look uneven, and carry a compact with you to pat down your skin if your make-up starts to run during the night.

WEAR SUNSCREEN EVERY DAY: This is the one that everyone complains about, but it’s the easiest thing to do. Pick up some moisturizer with SPF in it (I love Oil of Olay SPF 15 – It’s about $8.00 at any drugstore and works better than most of the high-end stuff). You can get burned even on a cloudy day, so make sure to apply this every morning so that you don’t have to think about your sun protection for the rest of the day. Furthermore, keep a sunscreen face stick (SPF 30 or 45) in your bag so that if you have to make an impromptu beach or pool run, you have something with you. These things weigh less than a cell phone and you can throw it in a pocket easily.

Remember, ladies: even wearing your sunglasses at night won’t cover up a bright red and peely face. So SPF it up, wear cover-ups, carry around shades, and remember that you can always get sunburned, so always be prepared!

Finally, halfway through high school, I made peace with being pale and embraced the art of self tanning. Since then I have (tried to) become religious about slathering on sun protection every. single. day. It is a chore sometimes, but when I want to slack on the SPF, I just think of this gadget. Here’s how to work SPF into your lifestyle easily.

SPF Moisturizer: For every day exposure, protection while going to and from work or school, or spending minimal time outdoors. Daily use of a low SPF sunscreen (like 15) can reduce sun damage even more than occasional use of a super high SPF. Sub this for your regular morning face lotion. Aim for at least 30. Most people don’t use the right amount of sun protection (about a teaspoon for your face)–they usually use only half, so double the level of SPF you desire. If you think you’ll miss that sun kissed glow you achieve on your cheeks and nose, try Neutrogena Summer Glow Daily moisturizer. You’ll still get a healthy glow…emphasis on healthy.

Sun Screen and Sun Block: There is a difference! A quick tutorial:

Sun screen: By far the most popular sun protection products, they absorb UV rays before your skin can. They come in the most variety of forms, and still allow for some gain of color (but tan at your own risk! Even the slightest change in your skin shade indicates sun damage).

Sun block: Offers a stronger level of protection by reflecting UV rays. Usually somewhat thicker in consistency, but technology has improved that factor. (Remember that sticky, thick coating that Mom used to rub on and acted as a sand magnet? Yea, it’s improved since then.)

Overall, the two act in much the same way and are ideal for any serious outdoor activity.

Remember, application is even more important than the level of SPF you need. You should use a shot glass sized amount (great excuse to have one handy at your next pool party!), at least on your body. Basically, put it anywhere your skin might be exposed and apply enough so that a film is visible before it dries. Apply it before you hit the great outdoors, because SPF takes 20-30 minutes to start working. I like to do mine before I get dressed or put on my bikini, therefore allowing ample time and preventing it from ruining my bathing suit.

Another important thing to remember about sun protection is that it is temperature, time and chemically sensitive. A good rule of thumb is to treat your sunscreen like you would your condoms! Seriously though, avoid high temp storage (in the car, a no no), always check the expiration date, and remember that certain medications (like antibiotics) interact negatively with SPF.

Be aware that while all blocks and screens block UVB rays (the ones that fry you), they don’t all block UVA rays (aging rays). Check the label to see if it specifically protects against both types of damage. Two brands that protect against both are Neutrogena–which uses Helioplex technology to battle aging and cancer, and L’Oreal (or any of their products, including Kiehl’s and Lancome):they use the chemical screen Mexoryl.

So ladies, whenever you head outdoors this summer, remember to wear protection! Ok, enough with the condom jokes. But seriously, it will establish a good habit. Come your 50th birthday you will be very grateful for that your skin is in better condition than your brand new leather handbag.

[Photo courtesy of ebaumsworld.com]