Sunscreen Application Tips

Everyone knows the importance of wearing sunscreen. It protects your skin from sun burns which lead to skin cancer and premature aging. Although applying it to your skin is great, it will not work unless you apply it correctly. Here are some sunscreen application tips that are recommended by Susan H Weinkle, MD:

When shopping for sunscreen, you will definitely want to find one with broad spectrum coverage that is water resistant and has an SPF of at least 30. Broad spectrum coverage means that it protects you from harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Generously apply your sunscreen at least 15 minutes prior to sun exposure, and make sure you are using a sunscreen that is not expired. If you wait until you are already out in the sun to put the sunscreen on, you will be unprotected and can burn. Make sure to put the sunscreen over all exposed areas of your body. Don’t forget the tops of your feet, legs, scalp, ears, neck, and hands! If you cannot reach you back, ask someone to help. To protect your lips, wear a lip balm with at least SPF 15.

Once you have sunscreen on, you will need to reapply it every couple of hours and more often if you will be sweating or swimming. Your sunscreen bottle will indicate if it is water resistant for 40 or 80 minutes. This means you will have to reapply after towel drying every 40 or 80 minutes in order to continue to be protected from the sun.

Wear your sunscreen every single day, regardless of season, time of day, or whether it is overcast outside. The sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays can still burn your skin!

If you follow these tips, you will significantly decrease your chances of getting skin cancer as well as premature aging and sagging skin.

Susan H Weinkle, MD offers two fantastic sunscreens at her office. Eryfotona Actinica Ultralight Emulsion Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ is a broad spectrum, 100% mineral sunscreen that is water resistant for 40 minutes. It also has repairing capabilities to reverse some already present actinic damage. The other sunscreen offered at Susan H Weinkle, MD’s office is called Color Science loose mineral sunscreen SPF 50. This sunscreen is also broad spectrum and is water resistant for 80 minutes. For more information or to purchase some, please stop by the office or give us a call. Our address and phone number are on the home page of our website.