True or False: What to Know When It Comes to Sun Protection

Photos: Once is not enough. Protect your and your children’s skin by reapplying sunscreen every two hours when outside, even if it says water-resistant. Also be sure to check labels and look for sunscreens that offer broad-spectrum protection.

With Florida’s hot temperatures luring people to the beach, there is no better time to think about how to protect your skin. To help set the record straight on some common sun protection misunderstandings, Dr. Jennifer Malin, UnitedHealthcare senior medical director of oncology and genetics, shares some common truths and false realities when it comes to sun protection.

Your sunscreen should have UVA and UVB protection.

True.When walking down the sunscreen aisle, the choices can be overwhelming. Dr. Malin says, “Start by looking for a sunscreen that provides broad spectrum protection. That means it filters both types of ultraviolet radiation.” The Skin Cancer Foundation says that ultraviolet A rays are present all day and can cause skin-aging and wrinkling while ultraviolet B rays are strongest during peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) and can cause sunburns. Both types have been linked to skin cancer.

One application of sunscreen lasts all day.

False. Sunscreen should be reapplied throughout the day and SPF, or sun protection factor, can help you know how often. Dr. Malin explains, “If you typically burn after 10 minutes in the sun, multiply that number by the SPF. For SPF 30, this would translate to 300 minutes, but the sunscreen will start to rub off before then. So, reapply often, at least every two hours.” Sunscreens should also be reapplied immediately after swimming, toweling off or excessive sweating.

You should use the highest SPF possible.

False. You may be surprised to learn that higher SPF does not always mean better protection. Dr. Malin says you may not need anything higher than SPF 30 if you’re applying generously and often. This is because, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, SPF 30 protects against 97 percent of the sun’s rays, while SPF 50 increases that just a bit – to 98 percent.

A little dab of sunscreen goes a long way.

False. To get a sunscreen’s full protection, you should consider applying about 2 tablespoonfuls or roughly a palmful. During a full day at the beach, a family of four should easily use an 8-ounce bottle. Sunscreen applied too lightly can reduce the effectiveness. A 30 SPF sunscreen can give as little protection as 5 SPF if applied too lightly.

You can get sun damage on a cloudy day.

True. One of the most common mistakes people make is forgetting about incidental sun exposure. Your skin is still soaking up UV rays even on cloudy days or while driving with the windows down. To help protect skin in such situations, Dr. Malin suggests making protection part of your normal routine. “Put sunscreen on first thing in the morning, even if you aren’t thinking about going outside – be consistent.”

Sunscreen is better than covering up.

False. While sunscreen is vital and should be used, Dr. Malin stresses the value of staying covered up. Wear lightweight, tightly woven hats, shirts and pants. Combine sunscreen and sun-protective clothing for your strongest protection.

Knowing how to help protect your skin from the sun may have a lasting impact. More people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined, and most skin cancer is associated with sun exposure.