Summer is in full swing and despite the heat, many of choose to be active outdoors, whether with travel or local fun. With this excess of direct sun exposure, there is a significantly higher risk of skin cancers, such as melanoma, basal cell and squamous carcinoma. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and 1 in 5 Americans are estimated to develop this in their lifetime*. Melanoma, which is the deadliest form of skin cancer, continues to rapidly rise over the past 30 years*.

In addition, UV exposure accelerates skin aging, causing wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. UV and light exposure are the top cause of premature aging. The result is called photoaging, and it is responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin*. It is far less expensive to wear sunscreen and protective clothing that the price of lasers, Botox and other cosmetic procedures used to try and correct sun damage.

• 1.SPF (Sun Protection Factor) should be SPF 30 or higher. This blocks about 97% of UVB rays, while higher SPFs block slightly more.
• 2.Broad Spectrum Protection ensures the sunscreen provides protection against both UVB and UVA rays, UVB rays cause sunburn and UVA rays contribute to skin aging.
• 3.Water Resistant sunscreen should be chosen if swimming or sweating and reapplied every 40-80 minutes, depending on the product.
• 4.The amount of sunscreen should be enough to generously coat all exposed skin. For adults, the generally recommended amount is about one ounce (enough to fill a shot glass) to cover the entire body.
• 5.Application frequency is important as sunscreen needs to be applied at least 15 minutes prior to sun exposure so the active ingredients absorb into the skin. Reapply every 2 hours or after swimming, sweating heavily or toweling off.

While sunscreen is widely recommended for protection against harmful UV rays, there have been some concerns about possible risks. Some people may experience skin irritation, redness or allergies from some ingredients, especially chemical sunscreens. Some chemical UV filters, such as oxybenzone and octinoxate have been found to potentially disrupt hormone systems in the body. Chemical sunscreens with the above two ingredients have also been shown to be harmful to coral reefs and marine life when washed off into the water. This has led to bans on these chemicals in some regions.

You can minimize your risk while still protecting your skin by choosing sunscreens with physical blocker, such as zinc oxide or titanium oxide, which is less likely to cause skin irrigation or allergies. Also opt for sunscreen products that as labeled as “reef-safe” if you are swimming in marine environments. Use sunscreen in combination with other protective clothing, seek shade and avoid peak sun hours when possible.

• American Academy of Dermatology Association
• Cleveland Clinic