06/22/2013
Sun safety is not just for the beach or vacations. Are you sun-safe every day? If not, you should be using a sunscreen every day!
When choosing a sunscreen product, be sure to read the label before you buy. Sunscreens with broad spectrum protection (against UVA and UVB rays) and with sun protection factor (SPF) values of 30 or higher are recommended. The Skin Sanctuary has you covered with cosmetically elegant sunscreens.
When using an SPF 30 sunscreen and applying it thickly, you get the equivalent of one minute of UVB rays for each 30 minutes you spend in the sun. So, one hour in the sun wearing SPF 30 sunscreen is the same as spending two minutes totally unprotected. People often do not apply enough sunscreen, so the actual protection they get is less.
Some sunscreen products can irritate your skin. Many products claim to be hypoallergenic or dermatologist tested, but the only way to know for sure if a product will irritate your skin is to try it. One common recommendation is to apply a small amount to the soft skin on the inside of your elbow every day for three days. If your skin does not turn red or become itchy, the product is probably OK for you.
Always follow the label directions. Most recommend applying sunscreen generously. When putting it on, pay close attention to your face, ears, neck, arms, and any other areas not covered by clothing. If you’re going to wear insect repellent or makeup, put on sunscreen first.
Ideally, about one ounce of sunscreen (about a palm full) should be used to cover the arms, legs, neck, and face of the average adult. For best results, most sunscreens must be reapplied at least every two hours and even more often if you are swimming or sweating.
Keep newborns out of the sun. Sunscreens may be used on babies over the age of six months, but they should also be protected by shade and clothing. Children are very sensitive to ultraviolet radiation – just one severe sunburn during childhood doubles the chances of developing melanoma.
Additional steps you can take to prevent skin cancer:
1. SHADE: The hours of 10:00am to 4:00pm are the strongest, so avoid direct sunlight by sitting in the shade.
2. AVOID SUNBRN: Your risks are double for melanoma if you have four or more sunburns at any point in your lifetime.
3. AVOID TANNING BEDS: UV radiation from tanning machines is known to cause cancer in humans. Those who make just four visits to a tanning salon per year can increase their risk for melanoma by 11%.
4. COVER UP WITH CLOTHING: Hats, UV blocking sunglasses and clothing are effective in protection from the suns burning rays.
5. USE BROAD SPECTRUM SUNSCREEN: (UVA & UVB) with an SPF of 30 or higher.
Examine your skin every month to detect the early warning signs of skin cancer. If you notice any existing mole or discover a new one that looks suspicious, see a physician. Yearly check up by your physician is a good idea to ensure all is in check.
