As if parents needed another reason to coat their children in sunblock and long-sleeved shirts, they now have one more.

A recent study found that young women who had experienced five or more blistering sunburns before the age of 20 were at an 80 percent increased risk for developing melanoma.

According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. Although melanoma is less common than other types of skin cancer, accounting for less than 2 percent of cancer cases, it is more deadly. In fact, melanoma accounts for nearly three-fourths of skin cancer deaths.

The study’s data was taken from a 20-year initiative following more than 100,000 female nurses. The baseline questionnaire asked participants about their history of sunburns as well as their personal and family history of melanoma and other skin cancers.

The women, who hailed from 14 different states, answered a follow-up questionnaire every two years. These questionnaires assessed how frequently the women used tanning beds, their body mass index, and whether they smoked or used alcohol.

In addition to the increased risk of melanoma, women who had experienced severe sunburns also had a 68 percent increased chance of both basal cell and squamous (skway-MUSS) cell carcinoma.

People with red hair, a higher number of moles and susceptibility to sunburn could be at a higher risk for skin cancer, too.

The study, published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, urges parents to take precautions when their kids are young. While the effects of sun damage are cumulative, the study seems to show that sunburns in early life can also affect whether a person develops skin cancer.

To steer clear of sunburn, stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Cover up with hats and sunglasses and slather on sunblock with an SPF of 15 or higher.