It’s the beginning of July, the sun is out, the lake is still, your deck chair is calling to you, and you are ready to relax. You were sure to lather on the sunscreen to keep the sun burns (and the skin cancer) away – but the likelihood is that you, like most people, forgot to protect one crucial part of your body: your lips.

Lips do not have melanin, making them very susceptible to damage by UV rays, which can cause lip cancer. Everyone – of all genders and ages – should include lip protectant when they’re getting ready for time in the sun.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Use a lip balm with an SPF of at least 15 and reapply every two hours
• Use lip balm even if the sun isn’t out (rays make their way through clouds)
• Avoid clear, shiny glosses. These redirect UV rays to your lips, making them harmful to your lips
• Now that you’re properly covered, be sure to enjoy the sun this summer!