Summer Sun Safety
- Posted on: Jun 20 2019
Jenny Potter PA-C discusses summer skin damage and how how to prevent it with WFMJ on the Morning Show.
Jenny Potter PA-C on WFMJ- Click the photo to watch her interview.
Check out our Sun Protection Tips below!
- What are the basics of sun safety?
- Wear sunscreen
- Wear protective clothing – New clothing brands with Ultraviolent Protection Factor (UPF) with bathing suits, wide-brimmed hats, shirts, pants, dresses, etc. (Coolibar, Cabana Life, UV Skinz, Columbia “Omni-Shade”)
- A typical T-shirt has SPF less than 15, and a wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection.
- Seek Shade. “If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.” The sun is strongest between 10AM and 2PM.
- What’s the difference between sunblock and sunscreen?
- All sunblocks and sunscreens are now called “sunscreens” per the FDA.
- Chemical Sunscreens take about 15 min to take effect.
- Physical blocker sunscreens use Zinc oxide or Titanium dioxide and work immediately.
- All sunblocks and sunscreens are now called “sunscreens” per the FDA.
- What kind of sunscreen should I use? How should I apply it?
- Look for “broad-spectrum”, which means that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
- UVB burns you, and UVA ages you (goes through glass and clouds). Both can cause skin cancer.
- Use at least SPF 30. Higher SPF can block more UV rays; however, no sunscreen can block 100% of UVB rays. They all last the same amount of time.
- Make sure it says “water-resistant” if swimming or sweating. No sunscreen can be called “waterproof” or “sweat proof” any longer.
- Reapply every 2 hours, or more frequently if swimming/sweating.
- The best sunscreen is the one you’re going to use.
- FDA requires all sunscreens retain their original strength for at least 3 years (write the date of purchase on the bottle). If expired, throw it out.
- Don’t use Sunscreen and insect repellant combination The sunscreen needs to be applied generously and more frequently than insect repellant; therefore, they should be used separately.
- Avoid exposing babies younger than 6 months to the sun’s rays. Photoprotective clothing is a great option for infants. Sunscreens with Zinc oxide or Titanium dioxide can cause less irritation to infants’ sensitive skin.
- Look for “broad-spectrum”, which means that it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
- When should I wear sunscreen?
- Wear sunscreen every day on your face and other sun-exposed regions.
- Apply chemical sunscreens to dry skin 15 minutes BEFORE going outdoors. Remember the lips with a lip balm with SPF and your eyes with Sunglasses!
- Who should wear sunscreen?
- Everyone needs to wear sunscreen. Anyone can get skin cancer, regardless of age, gender or race. It’s estimated that 1/5 Americans develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early.
- What about getting a “base tan”?
- There is no such thing as a “healthy” tan. Getting a “base tan” will not protect you from the damaging UV rays.
- Please avoid tanning beds!!! We’re seeing younger and younger patients with melanoma and other skin cancers secondary to tanning bed use. And they cause you to age more quickly!
- What about getting enough Vitamin D?
- You can get your adequate Vitamin D through a healthy diet that may include supplements. Please discuss with your doctor.
Tagged with: Dr. Jenifer Lloyd, Dr. Madeline Tarrillion, Jenny Potter PA-C, Lloyd Dermatology Center, news, Products, sun, sunblock, sunscreen, wfmj
Posted in: Providers in the News