Summer is almost here. If you have kids, they'll be heading outside to play. Now's the time to start planning for their skin protection. According to research, just one blistering sunburn suffered in childhood doubles the risk of developing skin cancer late in life. You can protect your child now – and in the future – by protecting their skin from the damaging effects of the sun. Here are three steps that you should follow whenever your kids go outside.

Be Generous with the Sunscreen

When it comes to sun protection, the one thing you never want to forget is the sunscreen. A generous application of sunscreen will protect your kids from the sun's harmful rays. To provide maximum protection, you should apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before heading out in the sun. After that, you should apply another layer at least once every two hours while they're outside. It's important to note that even if your sunscreen says that it's waterproof, you should still apply a fresh layer each time your kids get out to the water. This is particularly true if your kids dry off with a towel since that could wipe some of the sunscreen off.

Choose Sun-Protective Clothing

What your kids wear outside is just as important as how long they stay outside. The wrong fabrics can allow the sun's harmful rays to absorb right into your kid's skin. Choose tightly-woven fabric in bright colors to deflect the sun's rays. When choosing swimsuits for your kids, be sure to choose suits that have a high UPF label – ultraviolet protection factor. Swimwear with UPF protection will reduce the amount of sun your kids skin absorb. It's also important that you encourage your kids to wear hats. Wide-brimmed hats will protect your kid's faces, necks and ears from sun exposure.

Don't Forget Your Teens

If you have teens, they probably want to spend time in the sun working on their tans. To avoid skin damage, your teens should be taught that no tan is safe – including tanning beds. Even a light tan can increase the risk of your teens developing skin cancer later on. Research shows that melanoma is the second most common cancer among young adults aged 15-29. To protect your teens, you should encourage them to avoid tanning – either outdoors or in tanning booths.

Summer is just around the corner. Protect your kids skin by following the safety tips provided above. For other sun safety tips, be sure to speak to your dermatologist about ways to protect your kids skin this summer.