One in five Americans will develop skin cancer by the age of 70, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Sun exposure is a definite risk factor: Having just five sunburns over the course of your lifetime doubles your risk of melanoma. And while sunscreen can help protect your skin, few of us actually apply enough or reapply it frequently enough. What’s more, as the American Cancer Society makes clear, there’s not a sunscreen out there that protects you completely.
That’s why, in addition to using SPF and donning a floppy hat, you should ensure you have access to reliable shade when you’re outdoors.
How can you do that?
Set up a canopy (or two) in your backyard
If dining outdoors is one of your warm-weather pleasures, place a canopy tent over the area on your patio or yard where you have your table and chairs set up. Do the kids spend half the day jumping in and out of the pool? Erect a tent poolside where you can keep an eye on them and keep your cool, and where they can play between dives and games of Marco Polo. Canopies come in a variety of sizes—including 30x40 canopies that enable as many as 100 people to dine in cool comfort. They’re also available in myriad shapes and colors, so you’re certain to find one that will enhance the appearance of your outdoor space. Some are even made with 50+ UPF fabric that blocks 98% of harmful UV rays.
Consider a gazebo
Whereas canopies are typically removed once the alfresco season ends, gazebos are made to withstand weather year-round. Place one in your backyard, and it’s certain to become a favorite gathering spot. Some gazebos come with curtains to provide additional shelter from the sun (or the rain) or netting to keep out buzzing intruders. And a wall-mounted gazebo can transform the too-hot, too-bright patio next to your house into a shady haven.
Bring a pop-up tent with you on your adventures
Light enough to easily transport, simple to set up and break down, pop-up tents let you savor instant shade just about anywhere: at the beach, while picnicking at a park, when you’re coaching the kids’ baseball team, at a tailgating get-together… They’re also handy for when you’re gardening at home: You can plant and weed beneath one without risking sunburn, then dismantle the tent when you’re done so that your flora can get all the sun they need.
Sit pretty in a canopied chair
You might have seen folding canopy chairs at the beach (and wondered why you didn’t think of bringing one!). They’re also pretty fabulous to use when you’re at an outdoor concert, stopping for a break while hiking, or visiting friends who, unlike you, aren’t savvy enough to have a gazebo or canopy in their backyard.
If minimizing the risk of skin cancer isn’t enough to persuade you to make sure you have access to shade whenever you’re outdoors, consider this: It’s estimated that 80% of wrinkles and other signs of skin aging are due to sun exposure. In other words, reliable shade is a good look for you!
