"I'm walking on sunshine, whoa oh, and don't it feel good, hey!" So sang Katrina and the Waves in their mondo hit from years ago and, while it's true that the sun brightens our days in more ways than one, (ever feel totally depressed when it's gloomy out?) the reality is that the sun can also cause us a lot of pain. Learn how to protect yourself from the sun's powerful rays this summer so you stay comfortable and lower the risk of skin cancer.

I know, I know. You think "but I look so much better tan!" Or can't even imagine having to ever worry about wrinkles, but, trust us this is about more than just wrinkling – skin cancer is a very real disease that can happen to anyone at any age. And, it ain't pretty.

Don't Get Burned
The sun sends off two types of rays, UVA and UVB. UVB rays are the "burning rays" which are more intense during the summer months, at higher altitudes and closer to the equator. UVA rays are the "aging rays" and maintain the same intensity throughout the year, both types of rays are associated with the development of skin cancers.

Sounds scary, but if you're smart about the sun as a 'tween, you can prevent it from happening to you as a grown-up. It is believed that the people who suffer terrible sunburns before the age of 18 are most susceptible to skin cancers later in life.