Sunscreen Tips for the Whole Family
Summer is here, and with it comes longer days, more outdoor activities, and unfortunately, stronger UV rays. But all that fun in the sun can come at a price if you don’t follow smart sun exposure habits – from sunburns to skin aging to skin cancer.
Sun safety is a critical concern for families, especially during this time of year. Now is the perfect time to learn about the importance of UV protection, how to choose the right sunscreen, and other ways to enjoy the sun more safely. So, pull up your favorite summer lounge chair, and let’s get started.
Ready, Set, Sunscreen
Most sun care aisles offer an overwhelming amount of sunscreen choices and SPF ranges. Sunscreen comes in many forms, including lotions, creams, sticks, gels, oils, sprays, and powders. (As of today, other forms like wipes, towelettes, and body washes cannot be legally marketed as sunscreen.)
The guidelines below can help you choose the right sunscreen for each member of your family. Whatever type of sunscreen you opt for, it’s important to read the label carefully to ensure you get the most benefits.
SPF
One of the most essential pieces of information on the label is the sun protection factor (SPF). The SPF is a ratio of the number of minutes that you can stay outside with the sunscreen on before developing redness on your skin. For example:
You hold one arm in the sun without sunscreen on and it takes 10 minutes for your skin to begin turning red. You apply the sunscreen on your other arm and it takes 50 minutes for redness to begin. This sunscreen has an SPF factor of 50 over 10, which equals 5.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, even on cloudy days, while the American Academy of Dermatology prefers an SPF of 30 or higher.
Broad-Spectrum
The FDA also recommends using sunscreen that is labeled as “broad-spectrum,” which means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays.
Any sunscreens that are not broad-spectrum or are broad-spectrum but have an SPF of less than 15 must include this warning on the label:
Skin Cancer/Skin Aging Alert: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. This product has been shown only to help prevent sunburn, not skin cancer or early skin aging.
Water-Resistant
There’s no such thing as waterproof sunscreen, only water-resistant. Sunscreens that are officially designated as water-resistant will be labeled with the number 40 or 80. This number indicates how many minutes the sunscreen will stay on wet skin while swimming or sweating. After the 40 or 80 minutes are up, you must reapply.
Expiration Date
Finally, check the expiration date. You should never use expired sunscreen, which may no longer offer the same protection listed on the label.
How to Apply Sunscreen
It takes approximately 15 minutes for your skin to fully absorb sunscreen, so you should apply it before you go outside. If you wait until you’re already in the sun to apply sunscreen, your skin will be unprotected and can burn.
Most adults need about one ounce of sunscreen – enough to fill a standard shot glass – to fully cover the body. Apply sunscreen to all skin that isn’t covered by clothing, including your face, ears, neck, shoulders, arms, legs, and feet. For your back and other hard-to-reach areas, use a spray sunscreen or ask someone to help.
If you’re bald or have thinning hair, don’t forget to put sunscreen on your scalp as well. To protect your lips, use a lip balm with an SPF of 30 or more.
Reapply Throughout the Day
A “one and done” approach may work for some things, but never for sunscreen!
To stay protected throughout the day, you must reapply sunscreen every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating (unless you use water-resistant sunscreen). Not reapplying enough sunscreen is one of the most common causes of sunburn and skin damage.
Other Forms of UV Protection
No sunscreen completely blocks UV rays, which means you’ll need to be vigilant about using other forms of UV protection, especially during the summer. Examples include:
Shade
Stay in the shade whenever you can, especially when the sun’s rays are strongest (10 AM to 2 PM). But remember, you should never rely on shade alone.
Clothing
Wear clothing that covers your skin, such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, and a wide-brimmed hat. Lightweight and light-colored fabrics are best during the heat of the summer. Clothing made with sun-protective fabric is also available.
Sunlight that reflects off water or sand can also increase your risk of developing eye problems. Just because your sunglasses are dark-tinted does not mean they necessarily provide UV protection. Choose sunglasses with a UV400 rating or “100% UV protection” on the label. These types of sunglasses block more than 99% of UVA and UVB rays, offering ultimate protection for your eyes.
Sun Care for Sensitive Skin
Young children and others with sensitive skin require extra care to stay protected during the summer.
According to the FDA, infants under six months of age should stay out of direct sunlight. Never use sunscreen on infants, as they are at greater risk than adults of developing sunscreen side effects (such as rashes). Younger babies also don’t sweat like adults do, so they can easily become overheated or dehydrated on hot summer days.
If you have sensitive skin, look for sunscreen products containing zinc oxide or titanium oxide, which are less likely to cause skin reactions. You may also want to use after-sun products designed for sensitive skin, which contain ingredients that rehydrate skin and replenish moisture.
Soothing a Sunburn
Prevention is key, but there are ways to soothe sunburns if they do occur.
Get out of the sun immediately and begin treating your sunburn as soon as possible. To help relieve pain or discomfort, you can:
Take a cool bath or shower, then gently pat yourself dry
Apply a moisturizer that contains aloe vera or soy
Take ibuprofen (Advil) or another over-the-counter pain reliever
Drink extra water to prevent dehydration
If your skin blisters or peels, these are signs of a more severe sunburn. You should never pop blisters or peel away sunburned skin. Keep any blisters clean and apply petroleum jelly to protect them as they heal.
Stay Healthy This Summer with TrustCare
Treating sunburns is one of the countless ways that TrustCare protects and cares for your family when unexpected health issues arise. Our experienced, friendly team can treat a wide range of illnesses and injuries. And we never take summers off – all TrustCare urgent care clinics are open seven days a week, with no appointment needed.
TrustCare also offers primary care, pediatric primary care (TrustCare Kids), and more. To get started, find a TrustCare location near you.