Sunscreen Use

How Much And How Often?

What rules apply for the best sunscreen use and how often should it be applied to your skin?

You can get the full SPF of a sunscreen, you need to apply 1 oz on the exposed parts of your body. This is about a shot glass full.

Studies show that most people apply only half to a quarter of that amount, which means the actual SPF they have on their body is lower than advertised. During a long day at the beach, one person should use around one half to one quarter of an 8 oz. bottle.

SUNSCREEN DIRECTION FOR USE

Sunscreens should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully bind to the skin. Reapplication of sunscreen is just as important as putting it on in the first place, so reapply the same amount every two hours. Sunscreens should be reapplied immediately after swimming, toweling off, or sweating a great deal.

COMMON SUNSCREEN USE MYTHS

1. Wearing sunscreen can cause vitamin D deficiency.

There is some controversy regarding this issue, but few dermatologists believe (and no studies have shown) that sunscreens cause vitamin D deficiency. Also, vitamin D is available in dietary supplements and foods such as salmon and eggs, as well as enriched milk and orange juice.

2. If it's cold or cloudy outside, you don't need sunscreen.

This is not true. Up to 40 percent of the sun's ultraviolet radiation reaches the earth on a completely cloudy day. This misperception often leads to the most serious sunburns, because people spend all day outdoors with no protection from the sun.

CAN SUNSCREEN USE REVERSE SUN EXPOSURE DAMAGE?

Eighty percent of your sun exposure comes as a child, so it's too late to do anything now.

It appears that this universally promoted idea was based largely on a misinterpretation. A recent multi-center study showed that we get less than 25 percent of our total sun exposure by age 18.

Actually, men over the age of 40 who spend the most time outdoors, get the highest annual doses of UV rays. And since adult Americans are living longer and spending more leisure time outdoors, preventing ongoing skin damage will continue to be an important part of a healthy lifestyle.

THE BEST SUNSCREEN PRODUCT

Buy a high-quality product with an SPF of 15 or higher; check its ingredients to make sure it offers broad-spectrum protection; and decide whether it works better for everyday incidental use or extended outdoor use.

Also, look for The Skin Cancer Foundation's Seal of Recommendation, which guarantees that a sunscreen product meets the highest standards for safety and effectiveness. Once you choose the right sunscreen, use it the right way. But remember, you should not rely on sunscreen alone to protect your skin against UV rays. See the basic sun protection article below for other means of protection along with sunscreen use.

RELEVANT ARTICLES TO SUNCREEN USE:

Body Skin Protection:

Stretch Mark Prevention

Eye Skin Protection

Eye Skin Control

Skin Health:

Skin Health For The Elderly

Nine Important Aging Skin Habits