Routine Skin-Care Measures: Sun Protection

Sun protection requires a multi-pronged approach including sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, protective clothing and sunscreen. Prolonged sun exposure should be avoided by seeking shade and avoiding time in the mid-day sun in spring and summer months. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied frequently on exposed skin especially after swimming or excessive sweating.

Sunscreens are barriers applied to the skin that either absorb or reflect the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays.

UVB protection is measured by the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of the sunscreen. SPF is a ratio of the amount of time it takes skin with sunscreen applied to burn compared to unprotected skin. Sunscreens with a “Broad Spectrum” label contain ingredients that have been shown to protect from UVA such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and avobenzone.  A broad spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 is recommended.