It is common wisdom that all men, including those with darker skin, need sunscreen to protect themselves from burning during the summer months; but even guys who are conscientious about applying sun protection products on the rest of their body tend to neglect one important issue – the male organ.

The delicate skin of the male organ can be exposed to the ultraviolet rays from the sun even when kept under wraps. A red male organ after a day at the beach or by the side of the pool can lead to soreness, discomfort, and unattractive, peeling skin; and aside from the initial discomfort, a sunburned male organ is at greater risk for premature aging and even skin cancer later on in life. Before spending time outdoors, men should follow these simple male organ care tips to protect themselves from the effects of the sun’s damaging rays.

Keep it covered

While it might seem like a pair of shorts or trunks should be enough to block harmful UV rays, ordinary fabrics do not always offer enough protection. Choosing lighter colors is best, as darker colors tend to attract the sun, and many beachwear items are made with UV protection. Looking for clothing that is labeled with sun-protectant information is a good place to start in preventing a sunburned male organ from getting in the way of after-dark encounters later on in the day.

Slather on the sunscreen

If used properly, sunscreen can provide robust protection against reddened, hot skin. There are many different products available, however, and not all of them are created equal. Appropriate products have these attributes:

• An SPF of 50 or above
• Water resistance
• Sweat resistance
• A lotion base (not a spray)
• Few perfumes
• No artificial colors

These products should be applied at least 20 minutes before the sun's rays hit, and they should be re-applied at least every 2 hours. Guys who swim or who sweat profusely might need to apply more often. When returning indoors, a quick rinse of the male organ, followed with a mild scrub with soap and another rinse, can easily remove any sticky residue.

After-sun care

For men who end up with a sunburned male organ despite their efforts to the contrary, extra care is needed to soothe the burn and help the skin to heal.

A cold compress made of a soft, wet towel can take away some of the sting and help to keep the skin hydrated as it begins to heal. In the case of more intense burns that develop blisters, those lesions should be left alone, as popping them could lead to even more pain or a skin infection. Moisturizing creams containing aloe can help very painful skin like this, but products that contain alcohol should be avoided, as they might dry the skin yet more.  For severely burned, blistered skin, a trip to the doctor might be in order, as a burn ointment might be needed to treat heavily damaged skin.

Drinking plenty of water is also essential during the healing process, as a sunburn can leave anyone dehydrated and lead to further health issues, not to mention a longer healing time. Within a few days, sunburned skin tends to develop peeling, dead layers; while it may be tempting to pull these off, doing so could result in bleeding and increased damage.

Instead, washing the male organ carefully can help to slough away the dead tissue, and applying a male organ health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) containing vitamins, minerals and natural moisturizers can help to block in much-needed moisture, repair the damage caused by the sun and promote the growth of healthy, new tissue. Antioxidants also counter the long-term effects of harmful UV rays, reducing the risk of developing wrinkled, aged-looking skin and helping to prevent skin cancer.

For additional information on most common male organ health issues, tips on improving male organ sensitivity, and what to do to maintain a healthy male organ, visit: http://www.man1health.com. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous online web sites.