Summer is in full swing so now is a great time to get a little refresher on using sunscreen. Surprisingly, there is a right and wrong when it comes to sunscreen and sun protection and the difference can mean sunburn (ouch!) or not. Don’t fret though; it’s not too difficult. Just take a look at these five mistakes people often make and avoid them so your skin doesn’t get all crispy and painful this summer (or winter).
1. It’s Cloudy Outside – I Don’t Need Sunscreen
Yes you do. UV rays are present even on overcast days – according to the US Food & Drug Administration “80% of the sun’s UV rays can get through the clouds”. Bottom line, you can get sunburn on cloudy days. So reach for the bottle of sunblock rain of shine.
2. I Have a Nice Base Tan – I Won’t Get Sunburn
A tan does not provide sun protection. In fact a tan is a reaction by your skin to sun damage. Tanning is not healthy for your skin and won’t prevent sunburn plain and simple.
And don’t get me started on tanning beds. Those things are terrible for skin health – think leathery skin later in life and maybe even a dose of skin cancer.
3. My Skin Tone is Dark – I’m Safe From the Sun
The sun is color-blind. Regardless of race, ethnicity, age, or gender, everyone is at risk of sun damage and skin cancer.
People with darker skin tones produce greater amounts of melanin (the protective pigment that gives skin and eyes their color) and are generally less susceptible to UV damage than lighter skin tones but only to a certain extent.
Unfortunately this myth gives some people with darker skin tones a false sense of security so they are less likely to use sunscreen or get their skin checked regularly. Everyone needs to practice good sun protection year-round.
For even more on this topic check out our post “Are All Skin Tones Susceptible to Skin Cancer? Yes…”
4. Sunscreen Doesn’t Work On My Child
Sunscreen, if applied properly and re-applied regularly, works on everyone. Children, especially babies, are the most susceptible to sun damage as their skin is more sensitive so please keep them safe in the sun.
According to the US Food & Drug Administration and Skin Cancer Foundation – infants under the age of 6 months should be kept out of the sun. After 6 months sunscreen is recommended anytime you take your baby out into the sun.
Learn more about how to keep your kids safe in the sun in our post “Sun Protection Tips for Babies and Kids”. Also, I know it’s not easy putting sunscreen on your kids (I have a new little one) – so check out our post “5 Tricks to Make Putting Sunscreen on Kids Fun” to help you make it a little easier.
5. I’m In the Car So I’m Protected
Car windows do offer UVB protection but they offer limited UVA protection. A 2016 study in The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) - Ophthalmology found that driver side windows let a lot of UVA rays through. Furthermore, The New England Journal of Medicine saw that adults who spent a lot of time driving often had more sun damage on their left side than their right.
In general, UVB ray exposure lead to sunburn while UVA rays are associated with skin aging, both cause skin cancer. Definitely keep a bottle of sunscreen in your car at all times.
Everyone Needs Sunscreen - Yes This Is Correct!
So, for the whole family don’t forget to wear and pack your sunblock whether it’s sunny or cloudy outside. Remember there’s no such thing as a healthy tan and everyone needs sunscreen regardless of skin tone. Hopefully it’ll be a sunburn free summer for you.
For even more sunscreen tips check out our Suncare Smarts or Sunscreen and Sunblock blog series.
