Springtime means Spring Break! No matter where you are (or aren’t) going, remember to use sunscreen. 90% of the sun’s rays can penetrate through clouds – meaning you could still get a sunburn when the sun is hiding. Here are some tips to help protect you this Spring Break:
- Look for an SPF 30 or greater, water-resistant sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum coverage.
- Re-apply every 80 minutes.
- Check to make sure your sunscreen isn’t expired. Toss it if it is over a year old – your sunscreen starts to become less effective at blocking damaging UV rays.
- Always apply SPF 30 minutes before going outside. It takes time to absorb into your skin.
- With that, make sure to use at least 1 oz. of sunscreen. The less you apply, the less protection you have.
- Commonly missed places are the tops of the feet, ears, scalp, and lips. These areas are often skipped over and therefore at a higher risk of skin cancer.
- Use a sunscreen that is specifically designed for the face.
- Limit sun exposure from 10 am – 2 pm. This is when the sun is at its strongest.
- Increase your sun protection by wearing sunglasses, a hat, and proper protective clothing.
- Educate yourself on the ABCDE’s of Melanoma so when you perform your monthly skin check, you know what to look for.
Learn more about the sunscreens we carry by stopping into any of our offices.