Shield your skin!

Summer is inching its way closer, and with it comes a desire to spend more time outdoors. To encourage people to keep their epidermis healthy while enjoying the sun, the American Academy of Dermatology, Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association are once again launching the “Play Sun Smart” program, a public-service partnership that encourages individuals to protect their skin and provides tips for preventing skin cancer. Here are a few of them:

• Apply water-resistant sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 before going outside, and reapply every two hours

• Wear protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses

• Hang out in the shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

• Use self-tanning products instead of tanning beds

• Check skin regularly for spots, growths and changes, and get regular checks from your doctor

• Take extra care around water, sand and snow, which reflect the sun and increase chances of sunburn