Spring sun and the approach of summer remind many of us to get diligent about applying sunscreen before heading outdoors. But is that enough to protect your skin this summer? More than 1 million Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer this year, according to the American Cancer Society. ‘Changes in the environment and popular misconceptions make it more important than ever to take steps that will minimize your exposure to cancer-causing UV rays,’ says Dr. Jessica Wu, dermatologist. ‘May is national Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention month and now is a good time to get educated about how to protect your skin from the sun.’ Nearly half of all Americans will develop skin cancer by the time they’re 65, according to the National Cancer Institute. Here are some common summer sun screen mistakes and myths … and their solutions: Mistake: Only applying sunscreen at the beach. There are two types of Ultra-violet (UV) rays: UVBs, which cause sunburns and UVAs, which cause skin cancer. While UVB rays can’t pass through glass, UVAs do and they’re present year-round during daylight hours. Make sunscreen a daily habit for your kids as well. ‘Sun exposure in childhood is closely linked to skin cancer risk,’ Dr. Wu says. Myth: Believing a higher SPF guarantees a stronger sunscreen. Actually, a sunscreen with SPF 30 only gives you 4 percent more UVB (sunburn) protection compared to SPF 15. To give you adequate protection, your sunscreen should also provide UVA protection. What you can do: To protect yourself, learn to read labels. Look for a sunscreen with at least SPF 15, and ingredients like zinc, titanium, or Mexoryl, which protect you from UVA rays. Mistake: Going to a tanning salon to get a ‘base tan’ thinking it will protect you from sun damage and skin cancer. The ‘safe’ tanning beds many tanning salons claim to offer use mainly UVA rays, and block out UVB (burning) rays. You won’t burn, but you’ll be getting a large dose of cancer-causing UVA rays. One study showed that people aged 35 or younger who used tanning beds regularly had eight times the risk of developing melanoma compared to those who never used tanning beds. What you can do: Don’t use tanning beds – ever. ‘There is no such thing as a safe tan, and tanning beds, because of the UVA rays they use, are particularly dangerous,’ says Dr. Wu. Mistake: Not reapplying sunscreen. With summer heat and humidity, sunscreen rubs off and sweats off; if you go in the pool or ocean, it washes off, leaving your skin unprotected. What you can do: For optimal sun protection, remember to reapply sunscreen when you get out of the water and every three to four hours. And don’t forget to protect your eyes, ears and lips. To learn more about how to protect your skin from the sun this summer, visit www.EverydayHealth.com.
