(Long Island, N.Y.) Are You Sun Savvy? Don’t get burned this summer by some false ideas you have about sun. I asked board certified dermatologist Charles E. Crutchfield III, MD to shed some light on this hot topic.
True or False?
1. It’s a cloudy, dismal looking day, so I can hit the beach without worries about getting sunburn.
This is false. Even ultraviolet rays will certainly penetrate the clouds and even on a cloudy day, if one is outside, it is important to use the appropriate sun protection. It is best to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher that also includes a combination UVA protection.
2. My face makeup has an SPF of 25, so as long as I am wearing it, I’m all set when it comes to face protection.
Partially true. Having facial makeup with an SPF of 25 is helpful, but it is also important to make sure that it has UVA or ultraviolet A protection. Remember, ultraviolet B produces burns and ultraviolet A produces the signs of aging such as wrinkles and skin cancer. You need to protect against both.
3. Wearing shiny lip gloss isn’t a good idea when you’re out and about under the blazing sun. Lips need adequate protection too.
This is true. They have now discovered that some shiny lip glosses can actually focus the rays of the sun like a magnifying glass. It is best to use lip gloss with ultraviolet A and B protection.
4. It is a good idea to go to the tanning salon to get a base tan before going away on that summer vacation.
False. Any time you see tan skin, it represents damaged DNA. In fact, you only produce a tan when your skin is trying to protect itself from ultraviolet radiation. When you see someone with a tan, it’s really not a sign of healthy skin but a sign of damaged DNA within the skin. There is no such thing as a good tan. The most important thing for that summer vacation is to be sun smart and sun protect using a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and ultraviolet A protection. Be sure to put it on 30 minutes before going out in the sun because it takes 20 minutes to adequately interact and set up within your skin, and reapply it every hour and more frequently if you are actively and/or perspiring.
5. I’m so young, too young to worry about skin cancer.
False. Most experts agree that approximately 50 to 75% of one’s total lifetime sun exposure occurs before the age of 21. Unfortunately, by the time people are smart enough or wise enough to protect from the sun, they have already received a significant dose. It’s best to start sun protecting your children and teaching them about this at an early age using sunscreens any time after the age of 6 months. Before 6 months, just be sure the babies are covered and use sun-protective clothing.
6. My skin is dark but I still need to protect it from the sun.
True. Even the darkest skin provides an SPF of approximately 8 with a mild ultraviolet A protection. I have patients with all different skin hues that present with skin cancers.
