Sunscreen 101: How to Protect Skin From Sun Damage
Most of us associate summer with sunshine and spending time outdoors. Whether you like to go to a grandchild’s soccer games or read a book outside by the pool, soaking up the sun can make the spirit feel more positive. It’s also good for boosting your vitamin D levels, which are often lower when you are stuck inside during the winter.
But it’s important to remember that the sun’s rays can also be tough on the skin. They can put you at increased risk for skin cancer, sun poisoning, and other challenging health conditions. Even riding in a car while the sun shines through the windshield and windows can lead to sunburn.
That’s why it’s essential to wear sunscreen. These tips can help you learn how much to use and how often to apply it.
Using Sunscreen to Protect Your Skin
Here’s what people should know about sunscreen use all year round, including in the summer:
- Use sunscreen daily
People are often surprised to learn that sun damage can happen quickly. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can actually start to damage your skin in as little as 15 minutes. And that is true even on cloudy days, when it doesn’t look like the sun would be a threat. This is why applying sunscreen every day is a must, even if you are only taking a short stroll around the park to admire the snow on the trees or going for a short drive in the car.
- Choose a product with SPF 30 or higher
SPF, which stands for sun protection factor, is what determines how well a sunscreen will absorb and deflect the sun. In general, dermatologists say you need a product with an SPF of at least 30. That means you will be protected from an estimated 97% of the sun’s damaging rays.
- Protect against both UVA and UVB rays
Another tip for selecting sunscreen is to choose a product that offers what is called broad-spectrum protection. That essentially means it will protect your skin from both types of ultraviolet radiation: UVA and UVB rays. UVA, which accounts for 95% of the sun’s rays, penetrates into the deeper layers of the skin. While UVB makes up a smaller percentage of UV rays, it actually causes the most damage to your skin.
- Layer generously and reapply often
A popular misconception is that opting for a product with a higher SPF will allow you to stay outside all day without reapplying sunscreen. Unfortunately, that’s just not how it works.
For sunscreen to be effective, follow the directions on the bottle—most likely you’ll need to reapply every two to six hours. And a thin layer of sunscreen isn’t enough to fully protect you. An easy-to-remember rule of thumb is to fill a shot glass with sunscreen and layer it generously all over your skin.
- Test out different sunscreen formats
If you haven’t explored sunscreen lately, you may be surprised to discover it comes in a variety of formats. Sunscreen is commonly sold as sticks, creams, and sprays. Each offers the same level of protection but is designed for use on different body parts.
Sunscreen sticks, for example, may be easier to apply on small areas of the body, like your nose and ears. They are also convenient to take with you when you leave home. Sprays and creams, by contrast, can quickly be applied to larger areas of the body, such as your arms, chest, legs, and stomach.
For more tips on staying safe during the hottest months of the year, visit Summer Fun and Safety for Seniors: Embrace the Season With Joy and Caution.
Invest in an Emergency Alert System This Summer
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