Tips to Stay Safe in the Sun: Summer 2022 Edition
By: Sophia Erickson
As the days begin to get longer and longer we all seem to be rejoicing one thing - sunshine! While I also look forward to long, warm summer days, this season I have a whole new perspective. In January 2022 I began working as a medical assistant in a dermatology office as a way to accrue patient care hours for PA school. As someone who has always been passionate about skin care and skin health, this job has been a dream come true and I have already learned so much about the best ways to protect my skin for years to come. In this article I will be diving a little deeper into what skin damage can look like, how to best protect your skin from the sun, some of my favorite sunscreen products and much more!
Who needs sunscreen?
Everyone! Considering skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and that 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime (Linos, 2016), sunscreen is the best way to keep yourself protected from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays. Remember, anyone can get skin cancer - regardless of age, gender or race - so maybe think about the long term repercussions the next time you consider skipping out on your daily SPF…
What sunscreen should I use, how often and how much?
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone use sunscreen every single day. In fact, even on cloudy days, up to 80 percent of the sun’s harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin (Dale Wilson, 2012). The best sunscreens have the following attributes: :
Broad-spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB rays)
SPF 30 or higher
Water resistant
Also, sunscreen should be applied “every two hours as well as after sweating, toweling off, bathing, and swimming” (Latha, 2013). I know this seems like a daunting task but my favorite ways to reapply mid-day are with a powder based SPF like Supergoop! (Re)setting 100% Mineral Powder.
As for how much, board-certified dermatologists recommend you use 2 milligrams of sunscreen per square centimeter of skin - the equivalent of one shot glass for the body. As for the face and neck, it is recommended you apply two finger lengths of sunscreen for full protection (Vasicek, 2018).
What is the difference between the UVA and UVB rays?
Sunlight consists of two types of harmful rays that reach the earth — UVA rays and UVB rays and overexposure to either can lead to skin cancer.
UVA rays, also known as aging rays, are a special type of wave that can penetrate window glass, possibly causing wrinkles and premature aging (Wang, 2019). .
UVB rays, also known as burning rays, are unable to cause damage if blocked by glass but are the primary cause of sunburn (Wang, 2019).
Is a high number SPF better than a low one?
Dermatologists recommend using a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, which blocks 97 percent of the sun's UV rays (Latha, 2013). Anything sunscreen that exceeds SPF 50 are all pretty equally as protective,, but it is important to remember that no sunscreen will offer 100% protection from UVB rays (Herzinger, 2017).
What is the difference between chemical sunscreen and physical sunscreen?
Chemical sunscreens work like a sponge, absorbing the sun’s rays. They contain one or more of the following active ingredients: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate, and octinoxate (Latha, 2013). These formulations tend to be easier to rub into the skin without leaving a white residue.
Physical sunscreens, on the other hand, work like a shield, sitting on the surface of your skin and deflecting the sun’s rays and contain the active ingredients zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide (Latha, 2013). Opt for this sunscreen if you have sensitive skin.
What else can I do besides wearing sunscreen?
It is no secret that sunscreen alone cannot fully protect you from the sun. In addition to wearing sunscreen, dermatologists recommend taking the following steps to protect your skin and find skin cancer early:
Seek shade during peak sun’s rays, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Dress to protect yourself from the sun by wearing a lightweight long-sleeve shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, when possible.
Get vitamin D through vitamin supplements instead of the sun (Robinson, 2005).
Avoid tanning beds. They use ultraviolet light that can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, opt for self-tan products like St. Tropez instead.
Pay attention to any changes in your skin, specifically moles or lesions, that change in appearance, itch or bleed and make annual appointments with your dermatologist. Remember, skin cancer is highly treatable when caught early.
Reference List
Dale Wilson, B., Moon, S., & Armstrong, F. (2012). Comprehensive review of ultraviolet radiation and the current status of sunscreens. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 5(9), 18–23.
Herzinger T. (2017). Lichtschutzfaktor 50+ : Pro und Kontra [Sun protection factor 50+ : Pro and contra]. Der Hautarzt; Zeitschrift fur Dermatologie, Venerologie, und verwandte Gebiete, 68(5), 368–370. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00105-017-3979-3
Linos, E., Katz, K. A., & Colditz, G. A. (2016). Skin Cancer-The Importance of Prevention. JAMA internal medicine, 176(10), 1435–1436. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamainternmed.2016.5008
Latha, M. S., Martis, J., Shobha, V., Sham Shinde, R., Bangera, S., Krishnankutty, B., Bellary, S., Varughese, S., Rao, P., & Naveen Kumar, B. R. (2013). Sunscreening agents: a review. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 6(1), 16–26.
Robinson J. K. (2005). Sun exposure, sun protection, and vitamin D. JAMA, 294(12), 1541–1543. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.294.12.1541
Vasicek, B. E., Szpunar, S. M., & Manz-Dulac, L. A. (2018). Patient Knowledge of Sunscreen Guidelines and Frequency of Physician Counseling: A Cross-sectional Study. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 11(1), 35–40.
Wang, P. W., Hung, Y. C., Lin, T. Y., Fang, J. Y., Yang, P. M., Chen, M. H., & Pan, T. L. (2019). Comparison of the Biological Impact of UVA and UVB upon the Skin with Functional Proteomics and Immunohistochemistry. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland), 8(12), 569. https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8120569