Skin Deep
Sunburn makes your skin turn this color.
what is red?
Dogs do not sweat through their skin the way humans do. Instead, they cool down by doing this.
What is panting?
Sunscreen has a number on it called SPF. What do those three letters stand for?
What is Sun Protection Factor?
In the cartoon Bluey, the Heeler family lives in Australia — one of the sunniest countries on Earth. Australian kids are taught from a very young age to always put on this before going outside to play.
What is sunscreen?
True or false: Sunscreen is only for people with light skin.
False! Everyone — regardless of skin tone — can get UV damage and needs sun protection.
True or false: you can only get sunburned on a hot day.
False! You can get sunburned even on a cool, cloudy day. UV rays come through clouds.
Hippos produce a natural reddish, oily fluid from their skin that works like a natural sunscreen. People sometimes call it by this surprising name.
What is blood sweat (or hippo sweat)?
This is the minimum SPF number that skin doctors recommend for everyday use.
What is SPF 30?
In Moana, she spends most of the movie on the open ocean under direct sun with no shade. In real life, water reflects UV rays and makes sunburn happen faster. What is the word for this bouncing of UV rays off a surface?
What is reflection?
True or false: A higher SPF sunscreen means you can stay in the sun longer without reapplying.
False! You still need to reapply every two hours no matter how high the SPF.
This is the name of the dark pigment in your skin that gives it its color.
What is melanin?
These giant gray animals roll in mud to protect their sensitive, almost hairless skin from the sun.
What are elephants?
Dermatologists suggest applying sunscreen this many minutes before going outside to make sure it is spread evenly on your skin.
What is 15 minutes? Sunscreen works immediately — the short wait is only to ensure even coverage, not to activate it.
In Stranger Things, the kids spend long summer days outside. In real life, when you are outside for hours, sunscreen needs to be reapplied. How often should you reapply sunscreen when you are sweating or playing outside?
What is every two hours (or after swimming)?
True or false: Sitting in the shade means you are completely protected from UV rays.
False! UV rays can reflect off sand, water, and pavement and reach you even in the shade — though shade does help a lot.
Sunburn is your skin doing this, trying to protect itself from further damage.
What is sending extra blood to the area (inflammation / a defense response)? Accept any answer showing the body is reacting to UV damage.
Desert lizards in Arizona avoid the hottest part of the day by hiding under rocks or in the ground. What is this survival behavior called?
What is thermoregulation (or shade-seeking)? Accept any answer about avoiding heat
Mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These ingredients work mainly by doing this to UV rays — the same way chemical sunscreens work.
What is absorbing UV rays? Mineral sunscreens absorb UV just like chemical ones. They do not simply block rays like a mirror, despite what many labels claim.
In The Lion King, Simba collapses in the desert sun. Besides sunburn, what dangerous condition can happen when your body overheats and runs out of water?
What is heat stroke (or dehydration)?
True or false: Sunscreen expires and can stop working after a certain date.
True! Sunscreen expires, usually after about three years. Always check the date on the bottle.
Long-term sun damage can cause this to show up on your skin — spots, wrinkles, and leathery patches that make skin look much older than it is.
What is premature aging (or sun damage / photoaging)?
Flamingos stand for hours in shallow, sun-reflecting water. The pink color in their feathers actually comes from this — not from the sun.
What is their food (shrimp and algae that contain pink pigment)?
Even if your sunscreen says water-resistant, you should still reapply it after this activity.
What is swimming (or sweating heavily)? Reapply after 40 to 80 minutes in water.
In Encanto, Mirabel's family lives in a sun-drenched village in Colombia. Lip skin is thinner than regular skin and burns easily. What should you put on your lips before heading outside?
What is SPF lip balm (or lip balm with sunscreen)?
True or false: You can get sunburned through a car window while riding in the back seat.
True! UVA rays pass through most car glass. Window tinting helps block them.