13 Ways to Avoid Sunburn

How to Avoid Sunburn — It’s pretty, but it’s also the enemy.

Skin cancer is bad. Getting sunburn increases your chances of getting skin cancer. Here are…

Wear a wide brimmed hat. They keep the sun off your neck and ears.
Wear a long sleeved shirt. It’s the easiest way to keep the sun off your arms, and there are plenty of options that are plenty cool.
Fold up your collar. At the end of the day when the sun is low, your neck can get torched. Fold your collar up for extra protection.
Button up your shirt. That little pink V in the middle of your chest is not cool – it’s sunburn. Button up your shirt.
Wear pants. Again there are plenty of lightweight options. If you’re wading a lot the sunscreen is going to get washed off your calves, and with pants you don’t need to worry about it.
Keep your socks on in the skiff. You shouldn’t cast from the bow of the boat wearing flats boots because you can’t feel the line under your feet, but with bare feet the tops of your feet can get burned. With socks on you can feel your fly line but your feet are protected.
Wear sunsleeves. If you really prefer short-sleeved shirts, sunsleeves are a great option to keep your forearms protected.
Wear a Buff. There’s a reason pretty much all flats guides use them – it’s a simple, versatile way to keep sun off your head and face. Lots of different brands work great.
Use good sunscreen. Since you’re taking the time to lather it on, be sure it’s high quality stuff. Here’s one option.
Reapply sunscreen. No sunscreen lasts all day. Reapply when you’re out on the water. Lunchtime is an excellent milestone.
Stand in the shade. That time at the boat launch and the bar patio can add up. Wherever there’s shade, stand in it.
Wear sun gloves. They take a little getting used to, but they keep the sun off one of the most vulnerable parts of your body.
Use lip protection. A cracked, nasty bottom lip is no fun. Don’t forget the lip protection.