sunscreens and sun protection: frequently asked questions

7/26/2019 Sunscreens and Sun Protection: Frequently Asked Questions

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Sunscreens and Sun Protection: Frequently AskedQuestions(updated by Dr. Katz on 6/6/16)

This guide has the following six sections

!hy should " use sunscreen# ($age 1) !hat should " loo% for on the label# ($age 1)

&ow should " apply sunscreen# ($age ')

!hich specic sunscreens should " buy# ($age )

&ow else can " protect *y s%in# ($age +)

!here can " get *ore infor*ation# ($age 6).......................................................

Why should I use sunscreen?

Two *ain reasons to pre,ent s%in cancer and to pre,ent s%in aging-

including wrin%les. o*e people also need sunscreen if their s%in isabnor*ally sensiti,e to the sun.

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What should I look for on the label?

SPF. $ refers to the sunscreen0s ability to protect you fro*ultra,iolet (23) light- which is one part of sunlight that can da*agethe s%in. 4oo% for a sunscreen with an $ of at least '5. $s higherthan +5 pro,ide only *arginal additional benet. few words ofcaution on $

1. Reapply regardless.unscreens with higher $s still need tobe reapplied.2. Take the SPF with a grain of salt (or sand!).Testing by7onsu*er 8eports has shown that sunscreens do not always li,eup to their ad,ertised $. o beware- especially when using asunscreen for the rst ti*e.3. Use lots.9etting the benet of the ad,ertised $ re:uiresapplying su;cient sunscreen


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Water-resistant.This ter* *eans that a sunscreen resists beingwashed away by water. The label should say whether a sunscreen iswaterwaterproof-? and the ood and Drug d*inistration (D) in B51B

prohibited *anufactures fro* clai*ing sunscreens are CwaterproofC orCsweatproof.C) 4oo% for water


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Price.Fore expensi,e isn0t (at allG) necessarily better. $rice does*atter


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When should I aly it?"deally- sunscreen should be applied to drys%in 1+ *inutes before going outdoors. ut if you forget to put it onbefore heading outdoors- it=s still worth applying anyway once you arein the sun.

+o* often should I realy?8eapply fre:uently e,ery two hours isreco**ended or *ore fre:uently if sweating or swi**ing.

What about !y lis?pply a lip bal* or lipstic% with sunscreen toprotect your lips- since s%in cancer can de,elop on the lips too.

Will sunscreen stain !y clothes? 2nfortunately- *any sunscreenscan stain fabrics. The best way to decrease the ris% of sunscreenstaining clothes is to allow the sunscreen to dry on the s%in beforegetting dressed.

Which areas do eole !ost co!!only for#et *hen alyin#sunscreen?The ears- the inside (as well as the outside) of the ar*s-and the tops of the feet. Don=t forget those co**only o,erloo%edareas when applying sunscreen.

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Which seci,c sunscreens should I buy?

7onsu*er 8eports (July B516) says it best CThe best sunscreen is theone you=re *ost li%ely to use.C "n other words go with what wor%s for

you.

" ha,e been pleased with so*e relati,ely inexpensi,e !algreens andTarget (C2p and 2pC) brand sunscreens. " don=t use sprays *yself- forreasons discussed abo,e. Lther reco**endations are as follows

&onsu!er eorts eco!!endations /uly 01234:

567I6"SBest Buys

$ure un Defense $ +5 Disney rozen

7oppertone !ater abies $ +5

M:uate 2ltra $rotection $ +5 (!al*art)

Ao


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SPA8SBest Buys

Trader Joe=s pray $ +5O

M:uate port 7ontinuous pray $ '5 (!al*art)

D9 ody port $ '5 (Dollar 9eneral)6ther eco!!ended

anana oat un7o*fort 7ontinuous pray $ +5O

Aeutrogena each Defense !ater O un $rotection $ P5

7aribbean reeze 7ontinuous Tropical Fist $ P5

S7I&9 S"S&(("SBest Buy

2p N 2p Kids tic% $ ++ (Target)

6ther eco!!ended

7oppertone Kids tic% $ ++

FA&IA5 S"S&(("SBest Buy

Aone6ther eco!!ended

,on unO unscreen ace 4otion $ 5

2p N 2p 2ltra heer $ '5 (Target)

&onsu!er eorts $&6W; P5(AS(S$

A sunscreen that $does it all$: Ao


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Fore info on 3anicrea* sunscreenhttp//www.psico.co*/products/sunscreens.cf*.

!here to get it# o*e 3anicrea* products are a,ailable at!algreens- Target- and 73. To nd stores or online retailers thatcarry it- go to http//www.psico.co*/*ain/storeQlocator.cf*.

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+o* else can I rotect !y skin?

I=%e ne%er used sunscreen or tried to rotect !y skin. Is it toolate to start? AoG "t=s not too late to start protecting your s%in andreducing your ris% of s%in cancer and s%in aging.

e!e!ber: its about your skin' not about the sunscreen."fyou0re using sunscreen appropriately and still getting a deep tan or asunburn- then use other *easures li%e protecti,e clothing or a,oiding

the sun during *id


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If you see so!ethin#' say so!ethin#."f you notice anythingchanging- growing- or bleeding on your s%in- let your doctor %now. %incancer is ,ery treatable when caught early.

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Where can I #et !ore infor!ation?

s% your doctor if you ha,e specic :uestions- or chec% the followingreferences for *ore infor*ation

&onsu!er eorts:>Rour urning uestions- nswered-? July B516-$age B5

sunscreens and sun protection: frequently asked questions

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