No matter the age, proper sun skin care is important for keeping your skin healthy. Protecting your skin from the sun is the most important thing you can do to help reduce your risk of skin cancer. Here are ten sun safety tips from Vujevich Dermatology Associates to protect you during the summer season:
1. Use Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher
Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is best for proper protection from the sun. Use a broad-spectrum sunblock which protects against UVA and UVB rays.
2. Apply Your Sunscreen 20 Minutes Before Sun Exposure
Apply sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going outside and before putting on your clothes or bathing suit. It takes SPF these 20 minutes to soak into your skin before it is completely protected from UV rays.
3. Amount Matters
You must apply enough sunscreen to get the SPF protection listed on the bottle. This means that for the entire body you must apply a shot glass size amount of sunscreen and for the face you’ll need a teaspoon. It’s more than you think, so load up!
4. Re-apply Frequently
It is necessary to re-apply sunscreen every 2 hours, even if you are not swimming or sweating.
5. Seek Protection in Other Ways
Do your best to find shade or protect your skin in other ways in addition to sunscreen. Consider wearing a wide brimmed hat, sunglasses, light clothing, or using a large beach umbrella. There is plenty of fashionable sun protection clothing for all of us fashionistas out there!
6. Limit Sun Exposure
It is best to limit long periods of sun exposure, especially between 10am and 4pm when sun is the strongest.
7. In Certain Situations, Wear Sunscreen Inside
Even if you are inside around a lot of windows or driving a car while it is very sunny, you should wear sunscreen. Even those inside are exposed to ultraviolet radiation for brief periods throughout the day, especially those near windows, which generally filter out UVB but not UVA rays.
8. Don’t Rely on Makeup
Makeup with SPF should not be your only form of sun protection on your face and should be thought of as additional coverage. It is recommended to wear sunscreen underneath your makeup during sun exposure.
9. Start Fresh Each Summer
Though it’s tempting to take out that old bottle of sunscreen in your cabinet from last year, keep it fresh. The active ingredients in sunscreens can lose their potency, so it is important to check the expiration date on your sunscreen.
10. Don’t Forget Smaller Parts of Your Body
Often times people forget to apply sunscreen on smaller parts of their body. It’s important to apply sunscreen on your neck, ears, nose, hands, and toes, and even lightly under your eyes. Your lips are often forgotten as well, and you should wear SPF30 lip balm.
In addition to practicing sun safety tips, it is important to get your skin examined. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. In-office skin cancer screenings, as well as self-skin exams, are important pieces for early detection.
If you have further questions about sun skin care best practices, contact us today. You can check our Skin Cancer Screening page to get more information on what is involved in our screening process. Vujevich Dermatology Associates offers medical, surgical, and cosmetic dermatology from some of the most highly trained physicians and clinicians in the greater Pittsburgh area. You can reach our team at 412-429-2570 or visit our contact page to see our locations in Mt. Lebanon and Washington. You can also follow us on Facebook.