Healthy Habits: Sunscreen Reminders

As we move into the fall and winter seasons, it's easy to forget sunscreen in many areas of the country when it's cooler. While the UV rays may be less, sun protection is still important (and in snowy areas the snow can actually reflect more sun back onto the skin; I've had friends get sunburned after a day of skiing or snowboarding).

According to The American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.

Here are some tips from Brevard, Florida-based Dr. Richard C. Kirkpatrick who, being in Florida, sees many melanoma patients.  According to Dr. Kirkpatrick, "Understanding both application frequency and amount is essential to proper sun care. You cannot have one without the other."

·         Limit sun exposure, particularly between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the sun's harmful UV rays are the strongest and most damaging to your skin.

·         Apply sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

·         Use a golf ball-sized amount (1 oz.) each time you apply or reapply sunscreen.

·         Sunscreen should be broad-spectrum, at least SPF 30 and water-resistant to help protect from UVA and UVB rays.

·         Remember, spray-on sunscreens MUST be rubbed into the skin to be effective.

·         Your lips need protection, too—use an SPF 15 or higher lip balm.

If you're traveling, stick sunscreens may be easier to deal with - less likely to leak and better for getting through TSA checkpoints. Ocean Potion, No-Ad, and Bullfrog, as well as many other manufacturers, make stick sunscreen.