Be Sunscreen Savvy!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Be Sunscreen Savvy!
2
Tue, 07-04-2006 - 12:34pm

It's no news that sun exposure can prematurely age our skin and increase our risk of skin cancer! And it's also not news that sunscreen is one of our best lines of defense.

Did you know that experts say most people don't use sunblock correctly (or in most of our cases don't use if much at all, if at all?)? Yikes!

Here are some simple guidelines for us to remember, and use!!

  • Apply it liberally! It takes about 1 ounce of sunscreen — a generous handful — to provide adequate coverage. So don't be stingy!
  • Apply it early! For maximum protection, aim to put on your sunscreen 30 minutes before heading out into the sun.
  • Apply it often! Sunscreen wears off throughout the day, so be sure to reapply it at least every four hours, more often if you're sweating or swimming. This applies to waterproof products as well.
  • Be sure your sunscreen provides "broad spectrum" protection from both UVA and UVB rays and has a minimum SPF (sun protection factor) of 15. You want to make sure you're fully protected!
  • If you are still getting a tan or a burn, your sunscreen isn't blocking enough! Switch to a higher SPF or apply more sunscreen more often.
  • Avoid the sun (even with sunscreen) between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the rays are most intense.
  • Don't save it for the beach! Apply sunscreen to your face and exposed skin daily year-round.
  • Don't skip sunscreen on cloudy days. Nearly 80 percent of UV rays still get through, even though you may not think so! (Speaking from experience, ouch!!)
  • Get children into the sunscreen habit early. A large portion of lifetime sun exposure happens before the age of 18!
Enjoy the sun, but take care of yourself! After all we want to age gracefully, right?

~IslandGirl





School's out for summer!


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iVillage Member
Registered: 12-04-2003
Tue, 07-04-2006 - 4:08pm

Thanks IG!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-29-2005
Tue, 07-04-2006 - 4:12pm
Guess I should skip the tanning bed...