Make this a Sunscreen-Smart Summer
- Category: General Health, Safety
- Posted On:
- Written By: Matt Gougler
Although sunscreen has been a summer staple for years now, the majority of Americans are sunscreen slackers. In fact, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 18 percent of men regularly reach for the sunscreen. While women do far better at 42 percent, they’re not exactly setting sunscreen-use records.
ATRIO Health Plans is working to make sunscreen a daily habit for everyone, because skin cancer is now the most common cancer in the United States. The American Cancer Society projects that, this year alone, more than 76,000 people nationwide will be diagnosed with melanoma – the most lethal form of skin cancer. Of those who are diagnosed annually, nearly 10,000 will lose their lives.
Increase your Sunscreen IQ
Given skin cancer’s deadly potential, don’t let another summer go by without increasing your sunscreen IQ. For starters, the American Academy of Dermatology wants you to select a sunscreen this is:
- Broad spectrum;
- Water resistant;
- SPF 30.
Regarding the last bullet point, experts agree that a SPF 30 sunscreen filters out roughly 97 percent of UV-B rays, so going bigger SPF-wise doesn’t equate to better. To the contrary, many experts contend that those who select a sunscreen with a stratospheric SPF – such as 50 or above – tend to wrongly assume that the higher number provides longer-lasting protection. As a result, users often fail to reapply the sunscreen every two hours, as is recommended.
The acronym SPF (sun protection factor) actually is an antiquated abbreviation, in that it only refers to protection from UV-B rays, not UV-A. Although UV-A rays aren’t guilty of causing sunburns, they are culpable when it comes to skin cancer and the premature aging of skin. That’s why – when shopping for sunscreen – pick one that’s clearly labeled “broad spectrum.”
Those in the skin-cancer-prevention business advise steering clear of spray-on sunscreens. Although they’re convenient – particularly when it comes to sun-proofing uncooperative kiddos – watch-dog groups caution that consumers who choose pumps or aerosols are unlikely to spray enough product for the sunscreen to reach its full SPF value.
In order for a sunscreen to reach its full SPF value, it’s recommended that it be applied following these general rules of thumb:
- One teaspoon for your face, head, and neck;
- One teaspoon for each arm;
- One teaspoon for each leg;
- One teaspoon for your chest and stomach;
- One teaspoon for your back and the back of your neck.
It’s never too Late
The conventional wisdom that sunburns sustained in childhood lay the foundation for the future emergence of melanoma has today been replaced by the scientific finding that the risk of skin cancer actually increases – with each additional sunburn – throughout one’s life.
Consequently, each phase of life presents an opportunity to avoid getting sunburned and thus reducing the risk of skin cancer. Even if your life to date has been a sunscreen-free existence, by becoming a user now, you will be making a significant stride toward lowering your risk of later becoming a skin-cancer statistic.
Sources:
http://blogs.cbn.com/healthyliving/archive/2015/05/27/sunscreen-dos-and-donts.aspx?mobile=false
http://www.cancer.org/cancer/cancercauses/sunanduvexposure/skin-cancer-facts
https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/statistics/
http://www.cnn.com/2015/05/20/health/sunscreen-use/
http://www.jaad.org/article/S0190-9622%2815%2901352-3/abstract
.1).jpg)
.jpg)
