Summer is officially here! Time to run outside and revel in the sunshine, if it stops raining.

But before you go, consider taking a few precautions to protect yourself from the elements. Summer, after all, is the time of year when you can do the most damage to your skin and hair.

Top on your to-do list for summertime fun? Sunscreen.

Yes, sunscreen. Although we've all been taught to wear it, doctors worry too many people don't use enough sunscreen or protect their skin appropriately while outside. Each year, an estimated 1 million people are diagnosed with skin cancers — and most cases are tied to too much sun exposure or tanning beds, according to the American Cancer Society.

David Hansen, a dermatologist and professor in the University of Utah's Department of Dermatology, advises people to apply sunscreen frequently and liberally. Also, it's important to dress appropriately for your activity, he said.

For instance, if you're hiking, Hansen recommends wearing long but lightweight pants. Gardeners should consider wearing a wide-brimmed hat to protect their neck and face.

Swimmers, on the other hand, should remember to slop on the sunscreen and then cover up when appropriate.

"Our advice is always to be sun smart," Hansen said. "If you're doing things outside you enjoy, that's fine. We just don't want you to go out and get UV (ultraviolet light) for the sake of getting UV. To me, that's like smoking."

Other tips for summertime skin protection include wearing insect repellent and trying to keep your skin cool and dry to avoid eczema. For people worried about developing acne as result of sunscreen or repellents, Hansen advocates trying a number of products to see how your skin reacts.

Chemical-free sunscreens are also available for people with allergies or intolerances.

But what about your hair? It, too, needs to be protected from the sun and the elements, according to Megan Moore, owner of Moore Hair Design in Holladay.

Believe it or not, your hair can become dry, burned or sun-faded in the summer — especially if it's color-treated, Moore said. Some tips she has include wetting your hair prior to jumping in the pool and also washing color-treated hair with cooler water.

If your hair is already wet before you go swimming, it will help prevent too much chlorine from being soaked into your hair and damage it. Washing hair with cooler water helps to protect your color longer, according to Moore.