Six Weeks Until Summer: Protect Your Skin

protect your skin

Don't Feel the Burn 

Even people who rarely burn are still at risk for sun damage and skin cancer from chronic sun exposure. Summer is a prime time for sunburn, and it's time to get prepared.

Five or more sunburns during your lifetime may double your risk for skin cancer, regardless of when they
occurred. Sun damage from UV rays also leads to skin damage and wrinkles.

Sunscreen is an easy and fast way to protect yourself from the burn. There is now both an abundance of sunscreen choices as well as education on sunscreen choices. It's important in choosing a sunscreen that is broad spectrum to cover both UVA and UVB rays. The two types of UV rays both damage skin but in different ways.

UVA penetrates deeper into the skin and causes damage.

UVB damages skin closer to the surface and is responsible for sunburns.

Dermatologist recommend choosing a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher. Coverage with sunscreen should be on all possible sun exposed areas.

Other helpful tips include:

1. Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before sun exposure
2. Re-apply sunscreen after 2 hours of sun exposure
3. Re-apply sunscreen after swimming.
4. Minimize sun exposure during the hours of 10 am - 4 pm