Protecting Your Skin From the Sun

Many of our favorite recreational activities take place outdoors, particularly during the summer. Whether you’re splashing around in the surf on a sunny summer beach, running the bases at a company softball game, or just enjoying a nice afternoon on the porch, protecting yourself from the harmful rays of the sun is vital in maintaining good skin health—including preventing premature aging and lowering of the risk of developing skin cancer.

Sunscreen is essential, and we offer some helpful tips to make sure you’re using it correctly. But sunscreen is not a total solution to protecting yourself from harmful UV rays. That’s why we also recommend other ways to keep yourself safe this summer.

Choosing the best sunscreen for your skin type, geographic location, and outdoor activities is important.

But before delving into the specifics, it’s important to use sunscreen in a way that allows it to do its job in the most effectively.

UV radiation is a danger in nearly all day-time weather conditions—including when it’s cold, cloudy, or raining. According to studies, more than 3/4 of UV rays make it through the clouds. Sunscreen_spray

Apply at least an ounce of sunscreen (roughly 3 tablespoons). This should be enough to cover the entire body. Studies have found that people frequently don’t use enough sunscreen. Partial coverage significantly reduces the effectiveness of sunscreen and exposes the body to UV radiation.

Many people miss the ears, tops of the feet, calves and backs of the knees, back of the neck, back of hands, and bald spots. Skin cancer frequently forms on the scalp, especially for those with little or no hair.

Reapply every 2 hours. Even for long-lasting and waterproof sunscreens. If you’re swimming, or sweating heavily, reapply every hour and a half.

The FDA requires that expiration dates be printed on the bottle; sunscreen will loose its protective power over time.

While sunscreen is an important and effective tool in protecting your skin from UV radiation, no sunscreen is 100% effective in combatting UV rays. Sunscreen shouldn’t be perceived as a total solution to sun protection, but rather as one of several steps you can take every day. Download our Skin Cancer Self Exam Checklist as another step you can take to ensure you are properly protecting yourself from UV rays.

Doctors recommend staying out of the sun, either seeking shade or staying indoors, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (this is true all year around, even in winter). While it’s a good idea to stay protected all day long, it’s absolutely critical to wear sunscreen if you find yourself exposed to UV radiation in the middle of the day.

UVP stands for ultraviolet protection. Some clothing manufactures include chemical treatments and other measures that improve the ability of an article of clothing to protect against UV radiation. (A standard cotton t-shirt offers less protection than SPF 5 sunscreen, which is well below the recommended SPF 15).

Melanoma can form in the eyes if left unprotected, so you should always wear sunglasses to protect your eyes. Wear a hat with a brim to protect your face and neck. Also, wear dark clothes with a close-knit or reflective fabric.

Harmful UV rays pose a significant threat to the health of our skin. Sunburns, premature aging, and skin cancer are all common consequences of frequent exposure to the sun.

It’s simple to protect yourself from these dangers—apply sunscreen, don’t use tanning beds, wear protective clothing, and stay out of the sun when possible, especially during the middle of the day.

By making these activities a part of your daily routine, you can maintain healthy skin and avoid skin cancer. Download and print the infographic below, put it on the refrigerator, and keep yourself safe from the sun!