Skin cancer is prevalent in the United States, and there are many misconceptions about skin protection, especially when it comes to sunscreen.
Dr. Adam Friedman, professor of dermatology and chairman of the dermatology department at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences, says there are many things people don’t realize about how exposure to the sun affects the skin. Where on the body should you apply sunscreen. Reapplied frequently throughout the day.
The fact that shocks many people when it comes to sunscreen is that SPF actually protects you, Friedman says.
“SPF refers only to UVB, the type that burns (sunlight rays),,” he says. SPF does not take into account UV A radiation, which can penetrate deeper skin than UVB rays.
UVA rays “actually are associated with accelerated skin aging. They also damage collagen, elastin (it is also associated with skin cancer), but they don’t burn like UV B,” says Friedman.
The tricky thing about UVA Raises is that it can affect skin health even indoors, he explains.
It’s kind of a silent killer. You are exposed and harmed.
Dr. Adam Friedman
Professor and Chair of Dermatology at GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences
“Stay next to the window and UVB may be ruled out, but UVA is not. So you can get exposure and you can’t even achieve that,” says Friedman.
“UVA passes through the clouds, so it’s kind of like a quiet killer. You’re exposed and harmed, and you don’t even feel or don’t even know.”
Friedman recommends using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher for strong protection from UVB rays. This is also a recommendation from the American Academy of Dermatology.
“I push a higher SPF. There’s really no difference between feel and texture and cost. I know you don’t put on the right amount, so at least that keeps you in the range that’s still effective,” he says.
It is equally important to make sure you use sunscreen with wide spectral protection. That means it provides protection against UVA and UVB rays, he adds.
Most days, Friedman only applies sunscreen in the morning. If you plan to be outside for most of the day, or spend a long time near a window, reapplying sunscreen often provides more protection.
“Technically, you need to reapply every two hours. I say technically, because I’m a realist and who’s going to actually do that,” Friedman says. “Do everything you can.”
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