Safe in the Sun - Skin Health -

With longer, sunnier days, and warmer weather, it’s fun to spend time outside. When outside, regardless of the season, it is important to remember to take care of our skin. This includes protecting our skin from the sun’s UV rays.

Sun-burned skin is not only uncomfortable, but over time, repeated sunburns can also cause changes in our skin cells that lead to skin cancer. Harmful ultraviolet light (UV light) damages skin. These UV rays - invisible to you - come from the sun as well as from tanning beds and sun lamps. Most skin cancers are caused by too much sun exposure.

Please Be Aware!

• UV rays pass through the clouds. On cloudy days it is also important to protect your skin.

• UV rays reflect off of bright, light colored, and/or shiny surfaces like pool water, sand, snow, and cement. Your skin can be burned or damaged by these reflected UV rays.

• On windy days the breeze can be deceiving. You may feel cool, but the sun is still reaching your skin. In addition to sunburn, at the beach or on windy days, your skin can also have “windburn” or be chafed by the wind.

• Babies and children have more sensitive skin than adults and need extra attention to prevent sunburn.

Prevent Sunburn

• Wear a hat to protect the top of your head, back of your neck, ears, and nose.
  Bring sunglasses along to protect your eyes from bright sunlight and UV light reflected off of water, pavement, or sand.

• Wear long sleeves and long pants as a barrier from UV rays. Clothing with more tightly-woven material blocks the sun better. Wet clothing is not as effective as dry clothing.

• Apply sunscreen liberally and frequently. Put on sunscreen 20-30 minutes before you go outside and/or are exposed to sun. Sunscreen is available as lotions, sprays, and foams. Choose a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects from UVA and UVB radiation and with an SPF value of 30 or higher. Re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours and/or after coming out from swimming pools or the ocean. Don’t forget sunscreen for your face! Sunscreen is not recommended for infants younger than 6 months of age.

• Seek out shade during the brightest times of the day. In many places around the world, including The Netherlands, this is approximately from 11:00 am until 3:00 pm. If you are going to the pool, lake, or beach, go in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the intense sun. If you are outside during the sunniest hours then seek out shade from trees, buildings, large umbrellas, etc.

• Stay hydrated by drinking lots of water, especially when you’re playing outside. Healthy skin requires drinking enough water every day.

Treatment of Sunburn

• Cool the skin with cool water. Avoid warm or hot water in baths or showers.

• Apply lotions or aloe to soothe the skin.

• Stay out of the sun for a few days or at least until the redness is gone.

• Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

• Avoid tight clothing or materials from stiff, scratchy fabrics.

• Pain medication such as paracetamol or ibuprofen may help reduce the pain.

Seek medical attention if:

• your skin develops large swollen areas, or blisters develop over a large part of your body

• the exposed skin (after blisters open) becomes infected

• you feel unwell (chills, fever, headaches, dizziness, muscle cramps, etc.)

• a baby or young child has sunburn over a large part of the body

- Additional Information -

National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) - Spring sunshine… enjoy but do not get sunburn

Thuisarts.nl - How do I avoid getting sunburned? / Hoe zorg ik dat ik niet verbrand door de zon?

RIVM - UV Index

Amstelland Ziekenhuis - Dermatology 

Amstelland Ziekenhuis - skin cancer

World Health Organization (WHO) - Radiation: The known health effects of ultraviolet radiation

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - Skin Cancer

Questions, comments, or do you know of an additional NL-based resource? Let us know: info@healthyhere.nl

Last updated: Jun 2025