How to Effectively Use Sunscreen

In these hot summer months, you are hopefully remembering the good ol' sunscreen. Even if you are, you may not be aware of how to use sunscreen effectively. Here are some tips for keeping your skin healthy year round.

First thing's first - everyone should wear sunscreen. Even if you have a tan or dark skin, you can still burn, wrinkle or end up with skin cancer. Make sure you use a broad spectrum sunscreen; these protect against UVA and UVB rays. (These are the two types of sun rays, and some sunscreens may only protect against one type.)

If your sunscreen is waterproof or the packaging boldly proclaims it offers all day protection, you may think you're safe. Think again. Waterproof sunscreens are actually only water resistant and even all day formulas should be reapplied. No matter what you use, reapply every two hours. You may need to reapply sooner if you've been sweating or swimming.

'SPF' stands for sun protection factor. An SPF of 30 actually doesn't provide significantly more protection than SPF 15. An SPF 15 sunscreen, for example, will block 93% of UVB rays. Compare that to 97% protection with an SPF 30, and it is clear you don't get double the protection with SPF 30 (which some people mistakenly believe). Although higher SPFs don't provide much more protection, it is recommended you wear at least an SPF 15. (An SPF of 2 would only give 50% protection.)

Applying sunscreen the minute you step outside does not provide immediate protection. It takes 15-30 minutes for your skin to adequately absorb the sunscreen. Waiting til you look a little pink to put on some sunscreen is too late. You could burn by the time your skin absorbs the active ingredients.

Weather has nothing to do with whether you will get a sunburn. Clouds, cold, shade, sand... No matter what weather or climate you're in, you can get a burn. Sunscreen provides the most effective protection when used year round.

Parents may be concerned with whether sunscreen blocks their child's ability to make Vitamin D (your body makes this vitamin from sun exposure). Sunscreen can block this process, but if an individual is consuming enough dairy, their amount of Vitamin D should be normal.

So how much sunscreen should you use anyway? A shotglass full of sunscreen is an adequate amount for one application. When using this recommended amount, your bottle shouldn't last you years. And keep an eye on that expiration date. Sunscreen can expire. Lastly, don't forget those lips! Even your lips can sunburn so use chapstick with an SPF as well.

Sources:
http://www.aad.org/public/News/DermInfo/DInfoSunscreenFAQ.htm
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/sunscreen/a/sunscreen_myths.htm