Crisp lemonade on a hot summer's day and taking a dip in the pool is ideally how most Arizonans spend their summers. Aside from some attempts of escaping the scorching heat, summertime is freedom filled with adventure, late night campfires, and swimming to your heart's content -- whether it's during the day or in the evening. However, most often people chose to swim when it's hottest. Not only do people swim, but people also intentionally lay out in the sun to tan. When glistening sun rays pierce the atmosphere, we all fall victim to sunlight's intense light.

This ultimately leads to one issue, we have a raging sunburn. While this is a subtle issue, it can become fierce; research shows that serious neglect to one's sunburns could eventually lead to certain types of skin cancer. In fact, scientists have discovered that UV radiation damage (an effect of sunburns) has an increased likelihood of reaching fair skinned individuals.

What does this mean?

Well, in today's culture there are certain aspects of beauty considered to be fads, trends, and create more appeal. For example, having tan skin is often idolized in Western culture as it is seen through magazines, ad's, and figures in the media. Tan skin is perceived as more aesthetically pleasing. All of these influences have left some young women to become obsessed with tanning. If these people have fair skin as well, it could be critically damaging to their future skin health.

These young women need to recognize the importance of wearing sun protection and the proper knowledge about keeping your skin safe. While there are some times that I can be terrible at remembering sun screen, I've always made an effort to make sure my skin is protected.

I remember my father always telling me that the nose, ears, and shoulders are the worst places to get sunburnt. Weird I know, but it always stuck with me. Not only this, but seeing so many people resemble the texture of a leather couch does not seem appealing. Many of these aspects have given me the motivation to make sun protection a priority. This is done by considering sun screen a must have, and learning when to wear it.

I know many people say, "you must wear sunscreen every day or else!" Or else what? You aren't the wicked witch of the West screaming "I'm melting." If you wear conservative clothing and aren't walking directly in the sun for significant periods of time, your skin could actually use the Vitamin D from the sun rays -- but once again, sunlight in moderation. I've learned that if I apply sunscreen constantly or on a daily basis, I smell terrible and it becomes this begrudging chore that I eventually quit all together because of frustration. So, apply sunscreen when necessary; situations such as a long day at the park, swimming in your pool, or even laying out to tan.

Now, for occasions of applying sunscreen, this is where there needs to be consistency. Sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher is generally acceptable. The important aspect is to ensure to reapply the sunscreen about every 2 hours. After a certain time period, you skin becomes susceptible to sunburn again.

These informative pieces of sun protection make it a lot easier to enjoy the summer sun while protecting your healthy skin. Sometimes we all get a little sunburned though -- nothing some Aloe Vera couldn't soothe. Become informed and be ready to soak up the summer sun (with sun screen of course!), find adventure without looking like a ripe tomato.