Did you know? One in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime?
Your skin is the body's largest organ and provides a protective barrier for the rest of your body. Skin can be damaged just like every other organ - if you don't protect it, how can it protect you?What Precautions Should You Take To Protect Your Skin?
- Apply sunscreen daily - even if you will only be outside for a few minutes
- Generously apply sunscreen to your entire body. Reapply every 2-3 hours, especially while swimming or exercising
- Avoid direct sun during the hours of 10:00 and 3:00 pm - this is when the rays are most damaging. Seek Shade!
- Wear protective clothing (Coolibar, Sun Precautions, Tilley Hats)
- Increase your intake of Vitamin D
- Avoid tanning booths/beds - Instead, use a sunless tanning lotion but remember that most sunless tanners DO NOT include any SPF protection and you will still need to apply your sunscreen
- Having a tan does not protect you from sun damage. A tan is actually the physical sign of sun damage
Remember: There is no such thing as a 'healthy tan' and it is never too late to be sun smart!
What To Look For In Your Sunscreen
- UVA/UVB Broad Spectrum Sunscreen
- SPF 30 or higher
- Ingredients such as Zinc Oxide, Titanium Dioxide, Octinoxate, Helioplex
- Fragrance-free, oil-free, non-comedogenic
- Expiration date expired products loose their effectiveness
- Physician-grade SPF products are clinically tested and provide a more effective delivery system as the ingredients are micronized
- Recommended over-the-counter sunscreens include Neutrogena, Aveeno, Coppertone Sport, Blue Lizard and Bull Frog. (be sure they contain the above listed ingredients)
Water Resistant (stable) means the product can resist 40 minutes of lap swim or exercise. Water Proof (very stable) means the product can resist 80 minutes of lap swim or exercise.
Useful website links for sun protective wearables:
