Did
you know?
·Age
spots and sun spots are the same and are caused by direct exposure
to sunlight.
·The SPF of a sunscreen indicates the time period you can stay in the
sun without burning based on your skin sensitivity.
·You should apply sunscreen at least 1 hour prior to going out in the
sun.
·Use SPF factors higher than what you usually use for added protection. |
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Sun
Safety: Be Sun Safe and Sun Sensible
Whenever patients ask me whether a brown mark
on their skin is a sun spot or an age spot, I tell them that the answer
can be found on their gluteus maximus. After they look at me like I’m
crazy, I quickly explain that this is usually the only place on our body
where neither sun spots nor age spots are found because it is often covered
and shielded from ultraviolet rays. Which leads to the answer: age spots
and sun spots are the same thing caused by direct exposure to sunlight.
Given today’s increasing
occurrence of and concern about sun damage and its most extreme form
- skin cancer – it’s important that you protect yourself.
The Facts: What does SPF mean exactly?
SPF,
or sun protection factor, is a term used to determine how your skin reacts
to the sun when unprotected. For example, if it took your skin 10 minutes
to get red unprotected, but 20 minutes using a sun block, that would indicate
the product had an SPF of 2. The more sensitive your skin (i.e. the quicker
you burn) and the more time you plan to stay in the sun, the higher the
SPF should be.
Use
this rule of thumb: an SPF of 15 absorbs approximately 80% of UV rays,
an SPF of 20 absorbs about 86%, an SPF of 30 absorbs about 90-92% of
harmful sun rays. The less sun block you apply, the less protection
you get. Most SPF products are tested and given their value based on
a heavier application than most people would use. My advice is to go
higher – if you usually use an SPF 25, move up to a 30.
The Solution: Apply sun block before you
go in the sun.
The
outer layer of skin cells, known as the stratum corneum, contains
keratin protein. Sun block agents work best when they bind to this
keratin protein. But this takes time, so I recommend you apply sunscreen
at least 1 hour before sun exposure.
Reapply
every two hours:
Sun
block works like a sponge to soak up UV rays, but sponges eventually
get saturated and stop absorbing. This is true for chemical sun block
agents as well. If you are continuously out in the sun, the UV sponges
get used up after a few hours. You have to reapply sun block at least
every two hours
Protect
your hair and scalp:
Excessive
sun exposure for your hair and scalp can result in scalp conditions
and thinning hair, and can accelerate hair loss. I recommend you
wear a hat while in the sun, and use a hair spray or styling product
with UV protection. |
