As summer is just a few weeks away, it’s important to review the best ways to protect your skin from the harmful effects of excessive sun exposure. Too much time in the sun can not only result in a sunburn, but it can also influence the aging of skin and aid in the development of skin cancer. May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, so let’s take a look at a few tips for staying safe in the sun.
All you need to remember is, “Slip! Slop! Slap! and Wrap!™“
Slip on a Shirt!
Clothing can help protect against harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun. Think of long sleeve shirts, skirts, and pants as wearable shade for your skin! Even though it may be warm out, wearing darker colors helps protect skin better than lighter colors.
Slop on Sunscreen!
Make sure to read the labels carefully on sunscreens and always select a product that is dermatologist tested and approved. Choose sunscreens with an SPF of 15 or higher, and always check that you are using a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB sun rays. Most people do not apply enough sunscreen, or forget to reapply every hour.
Slap on a Hat!
Hats with a 2-3 inch brim that goes all the way around help protect skin cancer-prone areas such as the tip of the nose, or the tops of the ears. The scalp is exceptionally vulnerable to the effects of the sun.
Wrap on Sunglasses!
Protective eyewear is a critical aspect of sun protection, as the skin around the eyes is particularly delicate. Bad sunburns can leave lasting damage around the eye area that can jumpstart the effects of aging. The best sunglasses to purchase have a label that will say, “Meets ANSI UV Requirements,” which means that they fight off at least 99% of UV rays. If sunglasses do not have a label noting UV protection, you should assume that they will not be effective.
Dermatologist in Grosse Pointe
To learn more about how to protect your skin in the sun, contact us today and schedule a consultation. Our officers are located in Grosse Pointe, and you can reach us at (313) 886-2000. We look forward to serving you.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 27th, 2014 at 9:33 pm and is filed under Cosmetic Dermatology, Cosmetic Dermatology News, Medical Dermatology, Skin Cancer, Skin Care. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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