Believe it or not, summer will be here sooner than we think. To help usher in spring, I thought it would be a good idea to offer a refresher on how to select and apply sunscreen. Rain or shine, sunscreen should be your best friend. Not only does sunscreen help prevent skin cancer, it also helps prevent wrinkles! However, it is not effective unless it’s applied correctly. Your skin is exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays every time you go outside, even on cloudy days and in the winter, so sunscreen should really be used year round. Remember, Healthy Skin is In! Dermarolling Lips
American Academy of Dermatology Recommendations for Sunscreen Application:
– Choose sunscreen that has an SPF of 30 or higher, is water resistant, and provides broad-spectrum coverage, which means it protects you from UVA and UVB rays.
– Apply sunscreen generously before going outdoors. It takes approximately 15 minutes for your skin to absorb the sunscreen and protect you. If you wait until you are in the sun to apply sunscreen, your skin is unprotected and can burn.
– Use enough sunscreen. Most adults need at least one ounce of sunscreen, about the amount you can hold in your palm, to fully cover all exposed areas of your body. Rub the sunscreen thoroughly into your skin.
– Apply sunscreen to all bare skin. Remember your neck, face, ears, tops of your feet and legs. For hard‐to‐reach areas like your back, ask someone to help you or use a spray sunscreen. If you have thinning hair, either apply sunscreen to your scalp or wear a wide‐brimmed hat. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm with a SPF of at least 15.
– Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours to remain protected, or immediately after swimming or excessively sweating.
African American Dermatologist
