The best time for sunbathing in the summertime is between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., according to a recent study published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
But the researchers caution that the study was not designed to predict whether people will sunbathen when they have more energy or less sun exposure than usual.
The study, published by the American Geriatrics Society, also found that the longer the day, the greater the risk of getting sunburns and a sunburn.
While the study is limited by the number of people in it, the results are significant, said Dr. Christopher E. Koehler, director of the SUNBEAM Research Program at the University of Washington.
“It’s not the most direct, it’s not an ideal scenario,” he said.
“But it does indicate that it’s possible that you might get a little bit of sunburn.”
Sunbathing at night, however, is less likely to lead to sunburn than other times of the year, the researchers found.
More information about sunbathes and the sun health movement is available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.