With temperatures this weekend reaching over 90 degrees and with a heat index in the triple digits, sunscreen could play a vital role in protecting your skin from too much sun exposure.

Greene County Public Health Director Shelby Cooklin tells Raccoon Valley Radio that they are once again underway with the Sun Safety Project in partnership with the Iowa Cancer Consortium and the University of Iowa Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center, they are able to provide free sunscreen as well as information to reduce one of the most preventable, but most common forms of cancer: skin cancer. She explains how often sunscreen is recommended to be used when spending time outdoors doing different activities.

“So sunscreen should be applied 15-30 minutes before going outside and reapplied every two hours or more often if swimming or sweating. Spray, lotion and stick sunscreens are all effective if used properly. The key is to use enough to cover all exposed skin and reapply as directed.”   

Cooklin suggests using sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 30 and there is free sunscreen that is available at the outdoor swimming pools in the county, along with all of the county libraries, clinics, dentist offices and daycare facilities.