Don't let sunburn ruin your next trip. Following these guidelines to protect your skin will make your next trip more enjoyable while preventing needless aging and skin cancer.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than 3.5 million skin cancers in more than 2 million people are diagnosed every year. Everyone, regardless of skin color, needs to wear sunscreen, especially on float trips. Here are some guidelines for protecting your skin on your next float trip.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreens with broad-spectrum protection that protects against UVA and UVB rays. The Sun Protection Factor or SPF should be 30 or greater. Your sunscreen should also be water resistant. Sunscreen products with these three traits help protect your skin from sunburn, early skin aging and skin cancer. But sunscreen alone can’t fully protect you. Dermatologists encourage wearing long sleeves, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses whenever possible and that you seek shade when your shadow is shorter than you are. You should apply sunscreen to any skin that will not be covered by clothing.

Depending on the area of the body that needs protecting, you may choose to use sunscreen lotions, creams, gels, ointments, wax sticks or sprays. It’s best to use sunscreen creams on the face and on areas of dry skin. Sunscreen gels are better for hairy areas like your scalp or a male’s chest. Sunscreen sticks are ideal for the skin around the eyes and sunscreen sprays are easy to apply to children. Be sure to cover the entire surface area of your child’s exposed skin and don’t inhale these products.

The key to sunscreen success is in its application. While dermatologists tell patients to generously coat all the skin that won’t be covered by clothing, how much do they really mean? To be sure you use enough depends on your body’s size. But as a general rule, using one ounce, or enough to fill a shot glass, is what dermatologists consider the right amount to cover exposed areas of the body. Be sure you apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes before you plan to go outdoors, giving the sunscreen enough time to dry. And don’t forget your lips! Skin cancer can affect your lips too. Use a lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher. Sunscreen and lip balm should be re-applied every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating.

Time flies when you’re having fun on a float trip and often we forget to re-apply sunscreen. If you get sunburn, it’s important to treat it as soon as possible. First, seek shade, avoiding further UV exposure. Second, take a cool bath or shower to reduce the heat, gently patting yourself dry and leaving a little water on your skin. Third, use moisturizer to ease any discomfort and to help trap the water in your skin. Hydrocortisone also helps with easing discomfort. Taking aspirin or ibuprofen will reduce swelling, redness and discomfort. You should also drink extra water to prevent dehydration. Avoid treating your sunburn with any "caine" products like benzocaine. If your skin blisters, it means you have a second-degree sunburn. Don’t touch the blisters, allowing them to heal untouched. Blisters actually protect your skin from infection and help your skin to heal. You should seek medical care if you experience chills, a headache or a fever or if blisters cover a large area like your entire back. Avoid the sun while your skin heals and cover your sunburn every time you go outdoors.