You’ve heard it every time you go out in the sun since you were a kid – don’t forget to put on sunscreen. But will some lotion really be the only thing standing between you and skin cancer? The simple answer is no, it’s not the only preventative measure. In fact, sunscreen might increase your chances of getting melanoma.

Confused? It’s understandable – you’ve been told the opposite is true your entire life. But the reason sunscreen can make you more at risk for melanoma has to do with the fact that the sun gives off two different types of rays: long and short. Long rays are called UVA rays, and the short ones are known as UVB rays. Short rays can cause sunburn pretty quickly, while long rays penetrate more deeply into your skin, where cancer forms. Many sunscreens are aimed at preventing sunburn, so they block out the short rays that effect your skin, but it doesn’t protect as well, and in many cases it doesn’t protect at all, against the long rays. Additionally, with sunscreen on, you’re more likely to stay outside for a longer period of time, further exposing you to the long UVA rays.

It’s pretty scary to hear that even when you thought you were protecting yourself, you were putting yourself at risk. Instead of relying solely on sunscreen while you’re outside in the summer, follow these tips to prevent dangerous skin cancer from UV rays.

1. Seek the shade from 10 am to 2 pm

During this time, the sun’s rays are the strongest. If you are heading to the beach or pool, be sure to bring an umbrella or something that will shade you from the sun during this peak time. Enjoy outdoor activities during the early morning or late afternoon.

2. Avoid getting sunburn.

Even though sunburn is usually caused by the short rays, every sunburn increases your risk of developing melanoma. Suffering five or more sunburns doubles your lifetime risk. Use sunscreen with an SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 or more every day you spend outdoors, even when it’s not particularly sunny. Reapply sunscreen every two hours.

3. Wear a hat and other clothing to protect your skin.

No one likes tan lines, but clothing can be your most effective form of sun protection. Dark and bright colors (not white) offer the most safety, and a baseball cap or sunhat will protect your face and neck.

4. Don’t use tanning beds.

People who use tanning beds are 2.5 times more likely to develop squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell carcinoma. Even occasional sunbed use almost triples your chances of developing melanoma. Although tanning salon operators may say that their new bulbs are safe and that some UV exposure is necessary for vitamin D, neither statement is true. It is far safer to obtain vitamin D through D-rich foods such as salmon or orange juice.

5. Examine yourself.

Once a month, check yourself for suspicious spots or sores on your skin. Using a full-length mirror, look from head to toe for spots that itch, hurt, crust, scab, or bleed. You should also be aware of beauty marks and brown spots that change. Those that change color, appear translucent, change in texture, increase in size or thickness, are asymmetrical, are irregular in outline or border, are bigger than the size of a pencil eraser, or appear after age 21 should be checked by a doctor.

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