Don’t Forget the Sunscreen!
After a long cold winter we’re all looking forward to fun in the sun. But sun exposure can contribute to progressive skin damage that leads to cancer.
To help keep you protected during your outdoor activities, Einstein Healthcare Network dermatologist Dr. Jonathon Wolfe at Einstein Medical Center Montgomery has provided the following sunscreen tips and recommendations:
When To Use Sunscreen
Whether you’re running, swimming, walking or sitting, you need to wear sunscreen if you are going to spend a lot of time. Sunscreen protects your skin by absorbing or reflecting the sun’s rays.
How Much Sunscreen To Use
Apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside. Apply it even on cloudy days, because as much as 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation can sneak through the clouds, even on the most overcast days.
Understand What SPF Means
You might think that an SPF 30 sunscreen would be twice as effective as an SPF 15 sunscreen, and an SPF 100 would be six times more effective, but that’s not really how it works. Dermatologists believe you’re fine using an SPF 30 or SPF 45, but just make sure to reapply the sunscreen every two hours no matter what SPF you’re using.
Read the Label
Look for labels that indicate that the brand has broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB) coverage when choosing a suncreen. The last thing you want in the middle of a run is to have your sunscreen drip into your eyes. Look for a sunscreen that’s labeled “water-resistant” or “sweat-resistant.”
Sport sunscreens that get the Skin Cancer Foundation’s approval include:
Banana Boat UltraMist Sport Performance Continuous Spray Sunblock SPF 30
Coppertone SPORT Sunscreen Stick SPF 30
Hawaiian Tropic Sport SPF 45
NO-AD Sport SPF 50 Active Sunblock Lotion
Ocean Potion Oil Free Sport Xtreme Sunblock SPF 30
Rite Aid SPF 30 Sport Continuous Spray
PICK ONE YOU FIND EASY TO USE
Sunscreens come in different varieties: lotions, creams, sticks and sprays. Choose the one that’s easiest for you to apply, especially one that’s easy to reapply when you’re running or on the move. Sometimes a spray may seem easiest, but much of it evaporates when it hits the air and is not optimal in some conditions.
Lip Balm
Don’t forget the accessories, like sunscreen lip balm to protect your lips. ChapStick Ultra SPF 30 and Hawaiian Tropic Aloe Vera Sunscreen Lip Balm 45+ are two options. Also consider using a sunscreen for your scalp or wearing a hat, especially if you’re thinning a bit on top.
Have fun!