Summer Sun Safely
Aug 01 '00
I was the person your typical magazine was referring to when they presented facts about what not to do in regards of getting that summer suntan. Yes, I'm guilty -- I've used baby oil to tan in instead of sunscreen, I've moved cars to block the wind to get the first rays of spring sunshine, and I even took all night classes one spring quarter at college so I could layout during the day. I have been guilty -- but no more. I am a reformed suntanner. I now use sunscreen everytime I go into the glorious sunshine. Why the change of heart you ask? Well it all began about six years ago when I was getting prepared to take our first child to the beach. I wouldn't think of harming that precious new skin. I bought the highest SPF sunscreen available for babies. After that trip to the beach, I began reading about the damage sun can do to your body. I began to realize that the possibility of skin cancer was very real, and that I needed to begin a prevention plan.
What SPF Should I Use
To determine the minimum Sun Protection Factor for yourself you need to look at a variety of factors. Most of the articles I have read say that you should determine how easily you burn, what your skin type is, and how long you plan on being in the sun before selecting the SPF. For instance, if you burn easily, are fair skinned and are planning on being in the sun for an hour, then you should choose an SPF around 30. There are many fun sites that will help you determine which SPF you should use. Here are a few to look at: www.sunprotection.org by L'Oreal and www.bananaboat-sun.com. In the end the best judge of what SPF to use should be your common sense. If you what more protection then what is suggested by the guides, then use it. It's your skin you're protecting.
How Often Should I Reapply Sunscreen
To answer this question correctly you need to know that the first time you apply sunscreen needs to be 20 - 30 minutes BEFORE you go out into the sun. You should also use enough sunscreen to thoroughly cover all exposed areas. I personally reapply sunscreen about every 1 1/2 to 2 hours because I'm trying to prevent further sun damage. The most common rule of thumb seems to be to reapply every couple of hours even after using waterproof sunscreen. Also note that if you shower off and towel dry you will need to reapply sunscreen. If you reapply sunscreen often enough you can enjoy the outdoors without getting burnt.
A Few Sun Facts
*Avoid the most harmful rays when the sun is the brightest. This is usually the hours between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
*Babies should always be protected with sunscreen. I would consult my pediatrician about what age is appropriate for first sun exposure and SPF to use.
*You still need to wear sunscreen, even when you use a coverup or T-shirt. The sun's harmful rays can still cause damage if the material is too thin.
*Wearing sunglasses and using a SPF of 15 or higher is a great defense for your face.
I've just returned from a family vacation at Panama City Beach in Florida. While we were there I'm happy to report that no one in our family got sunburned. Yeah! It was interesting to note that a variety of SPF's were used because of the variety of skin types represented. I did get a little color to my skin, but that was just the result of playing with my family. Yes, my priorities have changed.
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Epinions.com ID:
julieagee
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Member: Julie Agee
Location: Fort Worth, TX
Reviews written: 9
Trusted by: 5 members
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