Long days are part of the summer experience.

But the increased exposure can lead to health risks as well as benefits. Guthrie County Health Services Director Jotham Arber says that the increased opportunity to get some vitamin D is a big plus for everyone, but that protecting oneself from the ultraviolet rays that come with it is super important. He says that the recommended range for sunblock is SPF 15 to SPF 100. Arber tells Raccoon Valley Radio that the strength needed depends on each person, but that a doctor’s recommendation is a good place to start.

“Now, if you have had skin cancer before, obviously you’re going to want to follow your doctor’s recommendations on what level sun block you want. Some doctors are going to want you to go all the way up to 100 for that, but that 15 and above is good for regular, and then children, like I said, they’re going to be a little higher, so 50 and above. So anything in that range is good.”

Arber mentions that the recommended range comes from how useful the end caps on it are, explaining that anything under SPF 15 isn’t going to do much of anything, and that anything over SPF 100 is more like wearing long sleeves and pants and not having that skin exposed at all.