How To Sun Safe This Summer
Between the warm weather and sunshine, summer is a great time to spend more time outdoors. However, it is important to remember that the sun’s UV rays can greatly increase the risk of skin cancer. While taking precautions to protect your skin year round is important, July is UV Awareness Month – a great time to brush up on sun safety!
Choosing a Sunscreen
- When choosing a sunscreen, be sure to select one that is broad-spectrum – this means that it’ll protect you from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen will help prevent sunburn, skin cancer, and early skin aging (e.g., wrinkles, premature age spots, etc.).
- The SPF number tells you how much UVB light is filtered out by the sunscreen. The higher the number, the more UVB light is filtered. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using an SPF of 30 or higher.
- While there is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen, there are water resistant sunscreens that the AAD recommends using. Water resistance sunscreen will stay on effective for up to 40 or 80 minutes in the water (depending on the kind you use). At that time, you’ll need to reapply. Please note: even if your skin remains dry while using water resistant sunscreen, you will still need to reapply every 2 hours.
- Be sure to avoid using an expired sunscreen.
Applying Sunscreen
- It is typical for many people to apply half or even a quarter of the amount of sunscreen they really need! To fully protect your body, most adults need about one ounce of sunscreen (think: the amount in a shot glass).
- Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside and reapply at least every two hours or after swimming/sweating.
- Apply sunscreen on exposed skin whenever you are going outside, even if it is cloudy. Up to 80% of UV rays can still penetrate your skin on a cloudy day!
- If you’re barefoot or wearing sandals, be sure to apply sunscreen to your feet as well.
- Don’t forget other parts of your face and head! If you’re not wearing a hat, be sure to use sunscreen for all exposed skin including easily forgotten places like your scalp, ears, and neck.
Other Sun Safety Tips
- A wide brimmed hat is a great option to cover your face and neck.
- Be sure to protect your lips by using a lip balm with SPF.
- Not all sunglasses are created equal – wear sunglasses with UV protection. Not all dark lenses necessarily offer UV protection, so be sure to check the label.
- Sunscreen can never block 100% of the sun’s UVB rays. Consider wearing lightweight clothes to cover up skin (without overheating!) when spending times outdoors to protect your skin from harmful rays. You can also find clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) for more protection.
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Resources
5 common sunscreen mistakes – and how to avoid them. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.-a). https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/common-sunscreen-mistakes
How to decode sunscreen labels. American Academy of Dermatology. (2024, April 24). https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/understand-sunscreen-labels
What to wear to protect your skin from the sun. American Academy of Dermatology. (n.d.). https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/sun-protection/shade-clothing-sunscreen/what-to-wear-protect-skin-from-sun
Disclaimer
We want you to be well and to live your best life. The content in this blog is provided for the purposes to educate and entertain you: our very important reader. It is not intended as medical advice or as a substitute for medical advice from a trained healthcare professional.
If you have a medical condition or are under the care of a medical provider, please always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional before undertaking a new health care regimen. To that point, never disregard medical advice or delay treatment for a medical condition because of something you read on this site.
Listen to your care providers as they know you and your condition best. Thank you for reading!
The Team at BSDI