Shield yourself from sun’s dangerous ultraviolet rays this summer

With the arrival of summer, Americans hit beach and lie at poolside to beat the heat. However, you must always remember that sun can be dangerous.

The single biggest misconception about sun protection is sunscreen. According to Steven Wang, director of dermatological surgery at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Basking Ridge, many people think that if they use sunscreen, they are properly protected and can stay outdoors in the sun for longer. The UV rays can easily penetrate mist, fog and even clothing.

Keith LeBlanc, a dermatologist, skin cancer surgeon and founder of the Skin Surgery Centre in Metairie, La said, "Any and all UV radiation that skin is exposed to is harmful. Even minor exposures can still lead to DNA damage in the cells of the epidermis that over time can lead to premature aging and the development of skin cancer”.

Three products that will keep you from getting burned are the Cabana Boy Spray Applicator, the White Sierra Kool Printed Gauze Scarf and Quik Shade Solo LT.

The first one costs $9.99 and is available on my-cabanaboy.com. It is a universal tool that will provide you a little extra reach when you're applying sunscreen as a spray.

The White Sierra Kool Printed Gauze Scarf, which costs $17.99, does more than protecting you from UV rays. It also repels bugs for up to 70 washes.

People who want to stay out of the sun can take a Quik Shade Solo LT ($199; quikshade.com) into the back of your minivan. It offers 7 x 7 feet of protection from the rays, and sets up lightning-fast, using quick-release sliders with Teflon bearings.