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Sun Safety 101
It's okay to have fun playing in the sun as long as you protect
yourself. How do you do it?
Watch the clock. Stay out of the sun from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m., when the sun's rays are strongest.
Make it a routine. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen every
day.
Choose SPF 15. Whenever you go out, use a sunscreen with a SPF
of 15 or higher.
Reapply. If you're out in the sun between 10 and 4, make
sure you slather on more sunscreen (even the waterproof kind)
every 2 hours.
Seek shade. Play in the shade whenever you can.
Watch out for the pool. Try to stay away from swimming
pools and snow,
which reflect the sunlight. (Reflected light can burn your skin
even faster.)
Cover up. Wear long pants and shirts with sleeves. If
the sun can't get to you, it can't hurt your skin!
Wear a hat. Choose one with a wide (4-inch) brim to protect
your face and neck.
What to look for in your next bottle of sunscreen.
If there's one thing dermatologists would like you to know it's
this: Use a sunscreen everyday. It's a lot easier to choose (and
use) a sunscreen if you know what to look for. Keep your eyes
open for these words on your next bottle of sunscreen:
SPF (Sun Protection Factor).
You should use an SPF 15 sunscreen every day, since that number
would block most of the sun's rays. (If you'll be out in the sun
for more than an hour, though, use an SPF 30.) If you'll be sweating
a lot, you may want to use an SPF 30 on your face no matter what,
because the sweat will thin it down to an SPF 15 fast!
PABA or PABA-free.
PABA (short for para-aminobenzoic acid) is used in many sunscreens.
It works well, but some people are allergic to it. If you're allergic
to PABA, use a PABA-free sunscreen instead.
Broad spectrum.
The sun shoots off two different rays that affect your skin: UVA
and UVB.
UVA rays make your skin wrinkle and may cause skin cancer. UVB
rays burn. A broad-spectrum sunscreen helps protect your skin
from both rays.
Waterproof.
Waterproof sunscreens aren't just important when you're swimming
and windsurfing-they also stay on longer when you sweat. So if
you're active, in or out of the water, a waterproof product may
be right for you.
Lotion, cream or gel.
The type of sunscreen you choose depends on which you like best.
You may want to use a cream on your face, since gels can sting
around your eyes. If you have acne, try a light texture sunscreen
first. (Apply a thick layer, so it will protect you better.)
If you have acne, a waterproof sunscreen could make your skin
break out. Try re-applying your regular sunscreen more often,
instead.
This information came from the American
Academy of Dermatology
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