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Sunscreen Tips
Tip 1: Apply sunscreen to dry skin about 15-30 minutes before going outside. Some sun protection ingredients need time on the skin before sun exposure to be fully effective.
Tip 2: Apply enough sunscreen. Many people under apply their sunscreen and don't receive full protection. One ounce is recommended for an adult. The two finger rule is a great way to make sure you apply enough sunscreen. Squeeze sunscreen the length of your middle and index finger. This gives you "two fingers" of sunscreen. This amount should be applied to each of the following areas:
Head, neck, face, left arm right arm, upper back, lower back, upper front torso, lower front torso, right upper leg and thigh, left upper leg and thigh, left lower leg and foot, right lower leg and foot
That's a lot of sunscreen isn't it? You can see why studies have shown that most people apply only 25% to 75% of the recommended amount.
Tip 3: Reapply your sunscreen. If you are going to be under the sun for long amounts of time you need to reapply your sunscreen every two hours and immediately after swimming or strenuous activity.
Tip 4: Do not use sunscreen that has expired. Once a sunscreen passes its expiration date, the sunscreen ingredients lose their effectiveness, decreasing your skin's protection. Throw expired sunscreen away and buy a new bottle. Your skin deserves the best.
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 Almost everyone enjoys the warm, sunny days of summer, spending time outdoors and "getting a little sun." The truth is, there is danger in sun exposure, and that means all sun exposure, not just in overdoing it to the point of getting a sunburn. Skin cancer and premature aging are directly attributed to sun exposure. We know it's unrealistic for people to stay out of the sun completely, but there are some precautions you can take to protect yourself and your family from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays.
Protection - Year-round!
Remember that sun exposure occurs all the time, even during a lunchtime stroll on a cloudy afternoon. The danger of UVA and UVB rays is not just a summer occurrence, it's a 365 day a year concern. Every time we go outdoors, we're exposing our skin to damaging ultraviolet rays. We're exposed on sunny days as well as on cloudy days - in summer as well as in winter. This exposure adds up over time. Your skin remembers all of the damage that has accumulated over the years. Each burn increases the risk of developing skin cancer later in life, and tanning without burning is just as guilty for the lines, wrinkles, and dark spots that show up down the road.
Safe Sun Guidelines
The American Academy of Dermatology offers the following safe sun guidelines:
- Try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest.
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and has a sun protections factor of 15 greater, even on cloudy days.
- Wear protective, tightly woven clothing. Dark colors give more protection.
- Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours when outdoors, especially if you're swimming or sweating.
- Wear a broad-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protective lenses.
Choosing the Right Sunscreen
Doctors agree you need a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 to properly protect your skin on a daily basis. But depending on your skin type and how much time you plan on spending in the sun, you may want to choose a sunscreen that has a much higher SPF. If you are a fair-skinned person who burns easily and plan to attend your child's soccer game all day, you would want to wear a long lasting, waterproof sunscreen with an SPF of 30 to 50, plus a hat and sunglasses.
To be effective, sunscreens should be applied to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes before going outdoors. Apply liberally and pay particular attention to the face, chest and arms. Sunscreens should be applied in the morning and reapplied after swimming or perspiring heavily. Use sunscreen even on a cloudy day, and remember that certain drugs and medications, such as Retin-A, some antibiotics, birth control pills, or high blood pressure medication increase your sensitivity to the sun.
Sun Protection for Kids
The delicate skin of children needs sun protection the most, and because they spend so much time outdoors, this can be a real challenge. More than 80% of a person's lifetime sun damage occurs before 20 years of age. Children and adolescents who experience even one blistering sunburn are twice as likely to develop skin cancer in later life.
Use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 for children over 6 months, limit their time in the direct sun, and dress them in protective clothing.
Family Skin Health Guidelines
Everyone has moles and/or freckles on his or her body. Most of them are normal, and remain so throughout life, but a mole or freckle that changes can be the first sign of skin cancer and should be evaluated by a dermatologist. Regular self exams and yearly full skin exams by a dermatologist will help identify spots that have changed in shape, size or color. Remember the ABCD's of self examination as your guide:
- Asymmetry: Most moles are symmetrical and round. Pay attention to any that have changed shape and become asymmetrical.
- Border: Most moles have even borders; watch for those that have irregular or uneven borders and edges.
- Color: Moles are generally one solid color, mostly a tan or brown color. Very dark brown or black moles, moles that have different colors in them, or moles that turn a different color should be seen by a dermatologist.
- Diameter: Most moles are smaller than 6mm, about the size of a pencil eraser. If a mole becomes larger, have it checked out.
Examine yourself on a monthly basis and remember that change is the biggest cause for concern.
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