Be Smart About Sunscreen

Sunscreen protects you from the sun’s rays that can damage skin and even cause cancer. “But it isn’t helpful unless it’s used properly,” says Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network family medicine physician Amy Steigerwalt, D.O. “It’s not enough to apply it once a day, especially when you’re outdoors.” Here’s how to get the most from your sunscreen:

Wear a product that protects against both UVA and UVB rays and has enough SPF (sun protection factor). You’ll block 97 percent of damaging rays with SPF 30; higher numbers are just minimally more protective.

Put on sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outdoors. Reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating heavily.

Apply sunscreen to often-forgotten areas: eyelids, tops of hands and feet, backs of knees, scalp and the part in your hair. If you drive with the windows and sunroof open, wear sunscreen even in the car.

Wear an SPF-rated lip balm. Your lips can burn, too.

Apply sunscreen even on cloudy days, since 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays pass through clouds.

Check the expiration date and toss expired sunscreens; they’re no longer effective

Published from Healthy You Magazine, July-August 2007

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