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Summertime conjures up visions of fun barbecues and
days spent outdoors at the beach, at the pool and on a
boat with lots of sun. I love the summer, but it is a time
when we must be vigilant about protecting our skin from
the sun’s rays. Why is that so important? Quite simply:
skin cancer, which continues to be on the rise every year.
With more than 1 million Americans affected by skin cancer each year, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer and is directly linked to sun exposure.
Sun protection is essential for all age groups, and the same principles apply for everyone whether you are a parent or a child. I have created a list of tips to maximize sun protection so that everyone can have a great summer as well as a safe summer.
1 Sunblock should be applied generously all over the body 30 minutes before going outdoors; it takes that long for the sunblock to settle on the skin and be protective. If you go out and apply the sunblock as you are sitting by the pool, you will not be protected for 30 minutes. It is best to apply your sunblock without any clothes on so you don’t miss a spot, which happens often, resulting in a small patch of sunburn.
2 Use a broad-spectrum sunblock with an SPF of 45 or higher. Ideally the sunblock should include physical blockers such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide, which act to scatter and reflect the sun’s rays in addition to the absorbers. These blocks are especially important to use onchildren, who are constantly running and playing in the sun.
3 Sunblock should be reapplied every 90 minutes and a water-resistant formula should be used. I recommend using sports spray since these are available as water-resistant, broad-spectrum (UVA, UVB), high-SPF formulas. They do not require rubbing, which makes it easier to spray on while at the beach or at the golf course with all the sand and sweat.
4 Clothing should be worn when not in the water as well as hats and sunglasses. Don’t be fooled by wearing just a regular cotton T-shirt, since they carry only an SPF of 5. Using a laundry treatment, such as Sun Guard Laundry Treatment UV Protectant, can add sunscreen to your clothing fabric and enhance the protection of the shirt by more than 90 percent. It’s great for children and in situations when you are not going to be able to reapply the sunblock (as in active exercise).
5 Remember that sunlight is reflected off the ground; the sand and water are major sun reflectors. That means that if you are wearing a hat and sitting in the shade, you are still getting lots of the sun’s rays hitting your skin. Stay protected and reapply sunblock.
6 Self-tanners and spray tans are safe and can provide the look of a nice tan. However, it is important to remember that there is no protection provided by them and the sunblock application rules apply.
7 Finally, have a fun-filled summer but practice these sun safety tips for healthy skin!
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Dr. Jeannette Graf, MD, FAAD, is a leading skin science expert, board-certified, clinical and research dermatologist. A top industry expert, published author and National Institute of Health award winner, Dr. Graf combines minimally invasive office procedures with effective skincare products and nutrition and lifestyle counseling to elicit both an inner and outer beauty from each of her clients. To get your glow, go to www.askdrgraf.com. |
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