It’s summertime, summertime! That means fun in the sun, but fun can quickly turn into serious discomfort if safe skin care is not practiced. Not only do we have to worry about immediate sunburn, we also have to think about our long-term skin health as excess sun exposure is a major contributor to skin cancer that develops later in life. So that you can continue to have fun in the sun, here are some sunscreen basics to keep in mind.
Full coverage – look for a sunscreen that provides both UVA and UVB protection with SPF of 15 or more. Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 can block up to 94% of UVB rays, SPF 30 can go up to 97% if used appropriately.
Water resistance – your sunscreen should clearly say “water resistant.” This will help to prevent your sunscreen from washing off easily. This doesn’t mean the sunscreen won’t wash off, but it helps – even sunscreen listed as “waterproof” will wash off after a period of time.
Apply often – sunscreen should be applied 15 minutes or more before going into the sun and should be reapplied at least every two hours. Make sure to let the product dry and reapply more often if going in the water or sweating a lot – even if the sunscreen is supposed to be “waterproof.”
Don’t be stingy – one big mistake of sunscreen use is inadequate application. Be sure you use enough of the product by following label instructions.
Sunglasses are a must – sunglasses help protect the eyes from sun damage. Again, look for UVA and UVB protection and make sure that children use “real” sunglasses – not toys.
Don’t forget the ears and scalp – make sure that the tops of the ears and bare scalp get treated. If you are bald, get the whole head, but even those with a full head of hair may need to treat the “part” in the hair. Better yet, wear a hat.
Cover up – sunscreen will provide some protection but covering up is a better idea. Just one sunburn can dramatically increase your chance of getting skin cancer. You should take particular care with your face, which is exposed to the sun more often, by wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
Don’t be fooled by clouds – Just because the sun is not bright, doesn’t mean you can’t get a sunburn. Clouds still let some of the damaging sun rays travel right through and can still damage the skin.
Tan skin is not healthy skin! Every time you “tan,” you are damaging a layer of skin so don’t give in to the impulse to “lay out” or “sunbathe.” This goes for the tanning salon as well, tanning beds are just as dangerous or more so than direct sun and spray on tans do not provide any sun protection.
Fun in the sun is great, but protecting your skin from sun damage is more important – and make extra-sure you protect those kiddos as well.
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