The sun is paradoxically the source of life on this planet but also a dangerous entity to be treated with respect. The rays of our sun can destroy all sorts of things via ultraviolet radiation. Dyes will fade when exposed to it, materials such as nylon weaken, and your skin has an entire range of responses to the sun depending on a lot of factors.

Sun Damage

UV radiation damage from the sun can happen to just about anyone, anywhere, at any temperature, and even during cloud cover. Not only is direct exposure dangerous, so too is reflective exposure such as that created when out on a boat, swimming, or being on snow. UV radiation is not thwarted by rain or cloud cover, either, so it's always best to be aware.

UV radiation gets more intense as you get nearer to the equator, closer to the summer solstice, and as you gain elevation above sea level. Your skin on its own can provide only limited protection from the sun's damaging effects. You can gain only around an SPF of 4 if you have dark or tanned skin. Those with pale skin and/or red hair are at highest risk for sun damage.

Sun Protection

To protect yourself from the sun its important to understand sun protective gear. The best and most effective way is to avoid sunlight striking your skin directly. Wear long sleeved shirts, a hat, and carry a parasol. If your skin will be in contact with the sunlight then you must wear sunscreen. Sunscreen's strenght is measured in SPF units, or Sun Protection Factor. An SPF rating of 10 means that your skin will have to take on 10 times the amount of radiation to achieve the same level of damage as if you weren't wearing it. For example, if at noon on a summer day you would turn red after 15 minutes (it really happens that fast!), with properly applied SPF 10 sunscreen you could last roughly 150 minutes, or 2 1/2 hours. Quite the difference!

Two very important things to remember while wearing sunscreen is to apply liberally and often. Most people do not put on enough sunscreen and forget to reapply every few hours. No matter how strong or water-resistant your sunscreen is, after a few hours of playing it will lose most of its effectiveness.

Your eyes are also extremely sensitive to sunlight. Left unprotected you can permanently damage them. If they are red and itchy after sun exposure, it means you've damaged them. Be sure to sport 100% UVA/UVB protective lenses and wear them regularly to prevent damage.

Hopefully armed with the proper knowledge you can stave off sun-induced conditions such as melanoma, sun spots, wrinkles, and leathery skin while still enjoying the glorious summer.