The TLDR on Summer Skin Health

Protecting your skin from the summer sun is essential for preventing damage and signs of aging. Here’s a quick guide to why and how you should do it:

Why Protect Your Skin?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is invisible but harmful. It aids in vitamin D production but can also increase the risk of skin cancer with excessive exposure.

Types of UV Radiation

• UVA: Penetrates deeper, causing aging, wrinkling, and tanning. Long-term exposure raises skin cancer risk.
• UVB: Affects the outer skin layers, leading to sunburns, skin spots, and increased cancer risk.
• UVC:Absorbed by the atmosphere and doesn’t reach the Earth’s surface. So, you only need to worry about UVA and UVB.

5 Top Tips for Sunscreen Application

1. Choosing Sunscreen: Opt for a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

2. How Much to Apply / Reapply: Use about 1 ounce of sunscreen (the amount to fill a standard shot glass) to cover all exposed skin. Reapply every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating, to maintain protection.

3. Don’t Miss These Spots:

• Neck and Ears: Often overlooked.
• Top of Head: Important if you have thinning hair or a bald spot.
• Tops of Feet: Exposed with sandals or shorts.

4. When to Apply: Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes before going outside to ensure it absorbs and creates an effective barrier.

5. Protect Your Lips: Use lip balm or lipstick with SPF 30 or higher to shield your lips from sun damage.