Sunscreen only does so much. For real protection from damaging sun radiation, you really should wear a swim shirt or rash guard on the beach. Sunscreen may protect against sunburn, but it does little to protect against the harmful UVA rays that are the leading cause of skin cancer. Not only can wearing swim shirts or extra protective rash guards, minimize your risk for skin cancer, but they can slow the effects of aging so you look younger as the years go by,

When you're young, a nice tan may seem like the most important thing in the world. It looks attractive and healthy, but the reality couldn't be farther from the truth. Young people with great looking suntans now will be wrinkled prunes by the time they hit upper middle age. Tanning cooks your skin, prematurely aging it as well as exposing it to skin cancer and other diseases. Instead of just targeting smoking, public service announcements should also target the dangers of skin cancer. Why don't billboards show off the leathery worn skin of people who were part of that huge tanning craze in the 1980s? It's easy to see who wore a swim shirt when they were younger and those who cooked themselves to death.

One thing important to consider in your selection of swim shirts or rash guards is whether or not they are chlorine resistant. The chlorine used in pools is excellent at killing germs, but it can also destroy the material of your rash guard or swim shirt overtime. Using brands that are specifically chlorine resistant can significantly lengthen how long your swimming gear will last. If you're going to be using a pool, remember to protect against the chlorine.

Now that spring break is upon us and summer is merely a few months away, you can get great deals on rash guards or swim shirts. When the great weather hits, we are usually caught off guard. All those months of snow and ice make us completely forget about the risk of sunburn. It's usually at the beginning of the season when we learn the hard way and end up with a blistering welt of a sunburn. Always remember to wear a swim shirt or rash guard from the first sunny day on. Any overexposure risks your health, not to mention your comfort and ability to enjoy the great weather.

So which should you choose- a rash guard or a swim shirt? Let's understand the difference. Rash guards are athletic shirts made of spandex and nylon or polyester, and are typically used for sporting activities. They are popular with snorkelers, surfers, body boarders and wind surfers because they cling to the body but still have the flexibility you need. The rash guard not only offers protection from the sun, but also prevents irritation caused by surface water and waves. They also help protect against jelly stings, so they are ideal to wear in the ocean

Swim shirts are mainly designed for swimming without a particular sport in mind. They mostly protect against the ravages of the sun and can be worn by men and women alike.