Ultraviolet rays from the sun can damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes, according to the Centers for Disease Control. To prevent damage and the risk of skin cancer, seek shade under a tree or shelter, wear protective clothing, and wear sunscreen. Washington County Public Health Administrator Danielle Pettit-Majewski says sunscreen is needed even on cloudy days, “You’re going to still be getting those UVA and UVB rays, they will still be coming through the clouds. I’ve had this happen to me as well, where I’m like, ‘Oh, it’s really cloudy out, you know, it’s not that big of a deal. I’m going to go outside.’ I’m out there longer than I think I’m going to be and inevitably I have a nice red burn in some uncomfortable spots. So we are still exposed to those rays which do damage to our skin, even if we’re not seeing the sun.” She recommends using a sunscreen with an SPF between 15 and 55, and look for one that protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. Remember to reapply it every couple of hours when you’re outside. Sunglasses also help protect eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts.