Tips to protect your skin while in the sun this summer

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Summer is here, which means many people will be out in the sun enjoying the nice weather. Whether your goal is to get a nice tan or simply avoid sunburn, making sure you’re protecting yourself from harmful UV rays is important.

“There are three basic things that you want to think about when protecting yourself from the sun: sunscreen, preventative behaviors and sunglasses,” Shanthi Appelo, health and wellness spokesperson for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, said.

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SUNSCREEN

“I think when it comes to sunscreen, one of the biggest things that people don’t realize is that they don’t use enough sunscreen,” Appelo said.

She explained that the rule of thumb is to use about an ounce of liquid sunscreen, or fill your entire palm, for your whole body.

“We really want to make sure that we’re rubbing it in good, and when it comes to spray sunscreen, I think we tend to not rub it in as much as we should, even when the bottle says you don’t have to rub it in, you certainly want to do so,” Appelo said.

If you’re planning on using spray sunscreen, she recommended spraying close to your body until your skin is glistening before rubbing it in vigorously.

Once the sunscreen has been applied, you want to let it dry for 15 minutes before you go into the sun. Appelo said you’ll want to reapply every one to two hours.

“That one-hour mark is more so for if you’re in the water or if you’re excessively sweating. The (Food and Drug Administration) has approved something for wet skin for sunscreen, so if something is water resistant, that means it’s approved for about 40 minutes in the water. And if it’s very water resistant, it’s for up to 80 minutes in the water,” she explained.

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If you’ve been in the water and go to dry off, Appelo said that you want to make sure that you’re reapplying because drying yourself off can remove the sunscreen that has been applied.

Before applying sunscreen, make sure to check the expiration date.

CHOOSING A SUNSCREEN

If you’re in need of some new sunscreen, there are some things that you will want to remember.

“When you’re looking at the store (for sunscreen), you’ll want to look for broad spectrum. That means that it’s going to protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Both can cause sun damage and can increase your risk for skin cancer,” Appelo said.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVA rays have a longer wavelength and are associated with skin aging while UVB rays have a shorter wavelength and are associated with burning.

Make sure to look for something that is at least SPF 30. Appello said that SPF 30 blocks out about 97% of UVA and UVB rays while SPF 15 only blocks about 93%.

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“It’s really up to you if you want to use mineral or chemical sunscreen,” Appelo said.

Mineral sunscreen provides a physical barrier from the sun and gives a white cast. Chemical sunscreen absorbs more to the skin.

PREVENTATIVE BEHAVIORS

Even though putting sunscreen on can protect you from some UV rays, there are some preventative actions that you can take, like staying out of the sun.

Between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., the UV rays are the strongest. Appelo said that if you are planning on being out in the sun, Appelo said it’s also a good idea to wear protective clothing and hats.

To help prevent heat exhaustion, she recommends staying inside, using fans and staying hydrated.

“It can be rapid heart rate, it can mean fatigue, you might be feeling a little lightheaded, dizzy and things like that. (It’s a) very good idea to just get back inside and, if it’s serious, you want to get to a … doctor,” she said.

“I think we think about our skin a lot of times but it’s so important to think about protecting your eyes as well,” Appelo said.

When looking for sunglasses, she said you should look for 99% to 100% UV protection.

The National Eye Institute said that several eye problems are linked to UV exposure including cataracts and pterygium, a type of growth that’s also known as surfer’s eye.

TREATING SUNBURNS, CHECKING YOUR SKIN

Once you’re out of the sun, Appelo said to make sure to stay moisturized and hydrated.

“There are certainly things that can help soothe your skin after your sunburn, so aloe vera can be a product for that. Make sure that it’s something that you can tolerate and continue to moisturize,” she said.

To help rehydrate quickly, Appelo recommends drinking water and adding minerals like sodium to replenish what was lost. She said drinks like Gatorade and Powerade are also good options.

“It’s a good idea to take a look at your skin often for anything that looks odd. So that can be oddly shaped spots on your skin, if anything is newly appeared that you notice, it’s a good idea to go get that checked out,” Appelo said.

She encouraged everyone to check with their primary care physician once a year and bring up any concerns.

“And if you’ve had someone in your family or if you’ve had skin cancer previously, you need to go and check more often,” she said.

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