Your Memorial Weekend plans might include a day at the lake or time at the park with family or enjoying an outdoor festival. As you make your plans, don’t forget to pack sunscreen for your day out. We spoke with Dr. Jennifer Lee of Ren Dermatology in Franklin. Here are the five things you need to know about sunscreen this summer to avoid a sunburn and to protect your skin from sun damage.
1. What does SPF signify?
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) represents the sunscreen’s ability to prevent UV damage on the skin. The SPF number is calculated by how long the sunscreen can extend your time in the sun before you get a sunburn. For example, if you go outside on a sunny day with no sunscreen on and get sunburned in 10 minutes, then using SPF 15 theoretically extends that time by 15 times longer (or 150 minutes). SPF 30 would extend that time by 30 times longer.
2. What number SPF should I look for?
Studies have shown that SPF 15 blocks approximately 93% of UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97%, and SPF 50 blocks 98%. There is no sunscreen that can block 100% of UV rays. But over SPF 50, the added benefit of a higher SPF is minimal. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends using sunscreen with at least SPF 30.
I recommend using SPF 30 on a daily basis (to help protect from sun damage throughout the day) and SPF 50 for outdoor activities. Again, re-applying sunscreen every two hours while you’re outdoors is very important.
Also make sure you are using enough sunscreen to adequately cover your body and get the full SPF effect. If you are applying sunscreen to your entire body, an easy tip is to use 1 ounce (equivalent to 1 shot glass).
3. My sunscreen says it’s waterproof, should I reapply after swimming?
There are no sunscreens that are totally waterproof, so I recommend re-applying after swimming or heavy sweating. In 2012, the FDA issued new guidelines for sunscreen labeling. The terms “sunblock”, “waterproof”, “sweatproof” are no longer used. Sunscreens may be “water-resistant” but have to specify on their labels whether they provide 40 or 80 minutes of protection.
4. What sunscreen is safe for children?
One blistering sunburn during childhood can double your risk of developing Melanoma later in life. So it is very important to start developing good sun protection habits in your children.
Sunscreens should not be used on infants younger than 6 months old. Instead, natural shade, sun-protective clothing, hats should be used.
On children older than 6 months, sunscreens may be used. I recommend using sunscreens containing physical blockers like Titanium dioxide or Zinc oxide. These are likely less irritating on children’s skin. Otherwise, the same guidelines apply to children as adults: apply 30 minutes before going outdoors, re-apply every two hours when outdoors or immediately after swimming or sweating. Sun-protective clothing, like swim shirts and hats are also important for protecting the delicate skin of children.
5. Is sunscreen completely safe, we’ve heard they can cause cancer?
Sunscreens have definitively been shown to decrease your risk of skin cancer. In a time when skin cancers are the most common cancer in the US, and one in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer, sunscreen is an important preventive measure (as are regular skin checks by yourself and your dermatologist).
There are sunscreen ingredients (chemicals like Oxybenzone or Retinyl palmitate) that have been questioned in the media on possible carcinogenicity. These have never been shown to cause cancer, liver damage, or hormonal problems in humans. Scientific studies have not supported claims that sunscreen ingredients are toxic or hazardous to human health.
If you still have personal concerns on using sunscreens with these ingredients, I suggest trying sunscreens that contain physical blockers (Titanium dioxide and/or Zinc oxide). Studies have shown these have very low absorption by the body. Combining a physical blocker sunscreen with other sun protective methods (wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, long-sleeved shirts and pants, staying out of the sun between 10am-4pm) can help you decrease your risk for skin cancer.
Here are some suggested products:
For sensitive skin: Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen SENSITIVE SPF 30+
Spray: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist sunblock SPF 45
L’oreal Advanced Suncare Quick dry Sheer finish Spray Sunscreen, SPF 50+
Kids: Neutrogena Pure and Free Sunblock stick SPF 60+
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen BABY SPF 30+
Dry skin: Aveeno Protect and Hydrate Sunscreen Lotion Broad spectrum SPF 50
Oily skin: Neutrogena Clear Face Break-out Free Liquid-Lotion Sunblock SPF 55
Anthelios 50 mineral Ultra light sunscreen fluid (by Laroche-Posay)
Thanks so much to Dr. Jennifer Lee at Ren Dermatology located 155 Covey Drive, Suite 200, Franklin. Dr. Lee is board certified to treat adults as well as children. Dr. Lee is a Harvard Medical School graduate and has been on the faculty at Harvard and Vanderbilt. Dr. Lee was recently awarded the 2013 Teacher of the Year award by the Division of Dermatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
