Summer is here and stores are stocked with sunscreens of all shapes and sizes. Sprays, lotions, creams, powders: there have never been more ways to safeguard your skin. But with so many options on the market, what is your best line of defense?
The answer is critical, with hyperpigmentation, sunspots, wrinkles, fine lines and skin cancer on the line. Selecting the right option — and knowing how to properly apply it — could save your life. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, 1 in 5 Americans is projected to develop skin cancer by age 70.
We asked Tanya Nino, M.D., a Providence dermatologist and Katrina Pfannenstiel, a Providence physician assistant specializing in dermatology, to debunk common misconceptions about sunscreen.
Myth #1: Applying once in the morning is enough.
Fact: Studies have shown two hours is generally the amount of time you can trust the level of protection on your sunscreen label.
“Sunscreen wears off the skin over time, just like makeup and lipstick,” Dr. Nino said. “It doesn't last forever.”
In addition, water can magnify the effects of the sun. So, if you are swimming or sweating, consider a water-resistant brand and don’t forget to reapply according to the instructions on the bottle. Sunscreens can either be water resistant for 40 or 80 minutes depending on the manufacturer specifications.
“Not reapplying every two hours is one of the most common mistakes people make,” Pfannenstiel said.
Myth #2: I don’t need to wear sunscreen every day.
Fact: Whether you are driving to work or sitting near a window in your office, you’re exposed to UV rays that can damage your skin.
“You are exposed to UV all the time, even when it’s cold outside,” Pfannenstiel said. “UV can enter through the window and can contribute to the signs of aging you want to avoid, like hyperpigmentation.”
While sun protection is top of mind during these longer, brighter days, it’s important to remember that UV rays are present even when it’s cloudy or wintertime. According to FAQs published by the American Academy of Dermatology, even on overcast days, up to 80% of UV rays can penetrate your skin.
Myth #3 All sunscreens provide the same protection.
Fact: Make sure your sunscreen is broad-spectrum (which blocks both UVA and UVB rays) and is in the SPF 30-SPF 50 range, which will block 97-98% of harmful sun rays.
“You’re never going to get to 100% protection [with sunscreen alone] and SPF 30 is a sweet spot where you’re not paying a lot more money for a fraction of a percentage more protection,” Pfannenstiel said.
Another decision to make: spray or lotion? Both experts shared that while the best sunscreen is “the one you’re going to use,” it’s harder to monitor how much sunscreen you are applying with a spray.
“Sprays can be helpful on hard-to-reach areas — just make sure you apply it evenly and in a well-ventilated area,” Dr. Nino said.
Myth #4: I don’t need sunscreen if I wear SPF makeup.
Fact: Unfortunately, the SPF in your makeup isn’t potent enough to protect your skin.
“The amount of makeup you would have to use to get sunscreen protection is insane,” Pfannenstiel said. “For true sun protection, you need traditional sunscreen under your makeup.”
When you rely on your makeup for sunscreen, you risk missing key areas like your eyelids, tops of the ears, back of the neck, chest, tops of feet and hands. Not surprisingly, these are all areas that tend to show aging first due to lack of sun protection.
As part of her skin care routine, Dr. Nino wears a tinted moisturizer with SPF and then reapplies sunscreen every two hours when outdoors. “It’s a pain to reapply and you end up diluting your other makeup, but I just rub it in over my makeup if needed,” she recommended. “It's not elegant, but it’s better than skin cancer.”
Myth #5: Wearing sunscreen is bad for your health.
Fact: Since a study found four active ingredients commonly found in some chemical sunscreens were absorbed through the skin into the body, some people have questioned their safety. According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), while these results do not mean that the ingredients are unsafe, they support the need for additional testing.
“They didn’t identify these ingredients cause cancer, just that they can be absorbed. We know that anything we put on our skin can be absorbed so it’s not a shock, but we don’t know the significance of that right now,” Dr. Nino shared.
If you’d prefer to avoid these chemicals, opt for a mineral sunscreen that includes titanium dioxide or zinc dioxide.
Myth #6: Sunscreen provides 100% protection.
Fact: Sunscreen shouldn’t be your only armor. Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF)-rated clothing, SPF lip balm, sunglasses and hats are great ways to increase your protection.
“The scalp is an area we see skin cancer more frequently, especially for women who always part their hair in the same spot. Hats can prevent that,” Pfannenstiel said.
“I wear closed-toe shoes, so the tops of my feet are not exposed. Those cancers are harder to treat,” Dr. Nino added.
If you’re going to the beach, bring an umbrella, pop-up tent or seek shade.
Myth #:7 Sun protecting pills are a substitute for sunscreen.
Fact: There is no magic pill that can ward off UV rays. Polypodium leucotomos extract (PLE) and Nicotinamide (B3) are herbs/vitamins some doctors are recommending to certain patients with sun sensitivities, but if they are used, they should supplement, not replace sunscreen.
“There are some herbals that do give your body a natural SPF but it’s similar to an SPF 3 — which is not enough,” Dr. Nino said.
Bottom line: Wear sunscreen!
Skin cancer is preventable and knowing what to look for can save your life. Dermatologists recommend checking your skin monthly for any changes. Make an appointment if you notice any of the following changes to your skin: a new growth, sore that doesn’t heal or a mole that is asymmetrical, has an irregular border, an uneven color, large size (bigger than a pea) or a mole that is evolving. Don’t wait to make an appointment if you have a skin concern.
Make an appointment with one of our skin care experts.
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