What is the right sunscreen and when to use it to avoid sunburn in NC this summer?

Charlotte Observer - 5/15/2023

From hiking to swimming and camps, spring and summer are prime times for people of all ages to get outdoors in North Carolina.

And with that extra time outside comes increased sun exposure.

Taking precautions, including wearing sunscreen, to protect your skin is critical to avoid damage that can become deadly, medical experts say.

Skin cancer — which comes in multiple types — “is the most common cancer in the U.S.,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, and most cases are “caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun, tanning beds, or sunlamps.” Skin damage can happen “in as little as 15 minutes.”

While some forms can typically be treated, the agency notes, others are harder to handle and can spread to vital organs.

Here’s what you need to know about finding the right sunscreen for you and your family:

How to pick the best sunscreen

There are various types of sunscreen to choose from, the Food and Drug Administration notes, including:

Lotions

Creams

Sticks

Gels

Oils

Butters

Pastes

Sprays

“The best sunscreen” to pick, the Skin Cancer Foundation says, “is the one you are most likely to use, so long as it provides safe and effective protection.”

You should look for sunscreen that’s “broad spectrum,” meaning it “protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays.”

SPF-15 sunscreen is “ideal for everyday, occasional exposure, like walking your dog, or driving to work,” the foundation says. “SPF 30 or higher” is “necessary for extended outdoor activities, including distance running, hiking, swimming and outdoor sports” and “is a must if you work outdoors.”

When picking a sunscreen, the group adds, you need to consider “your skin cancer risk factors,” including any family history of the disease and your skin type, as well as your photosensitivity and any skin conditions.

When deciding between brands and types of sunscreen, you can look for the foundation’s “Seal of Recommendation.” You should also pick a sunscreen that meets FDA requirements.

Should you wear sunscreen everyday?

Almost everyone should wear sunscreen daily in order to protect their skin, the Skin Cancer Foundation advises.

“Men, women and children over 6 months of age should use sunscreen every day,” the group says. “This includes people who tan easily and those who don’t — remember, your skin is damaged by sun exposure over your lifetime, whether or not you burn.”

That includes days when it’s not sunny out, the group adds, as “even when it’s cloudy, up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV radiation reaches the earth.”

Can babies wear sunscreen?

“Sunscreens are not recommended for infants,” the FDA says, and parents and guardians should “ask a doctor before applying sunscreen to children under six months of age.”

“The FDA recommends that infants be kept out of the sun during the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and to use protective clothing if they have to be in the sun,” the agency explains. “Infants are at greater risk than adults of sunscreen side effects, such as a rash. The best protection for infants is to keep them out of the sun entirely.”

How to apply sunscreen

You should apply your sunscreen about 15 minutes before you go outside, the FDA recommends.

“Use enough to cover your entire face and body (avoiding the eyes and mouth),” the agency says. “An average-sized adult or child needs at least one ounce of sunscreen (about the amount it takes to fill a shot glass) to evenly cover the body from head to toe.”

“Frequently forgotten spots” to make sure you hit include your ears, nose, the back of your neck, the tops of your feet and “areas of the head exposed by balding or thinning hair.”

You should reapply your sunscreen “at least every two hours, and more often if you’re swimming or sweating,” per the FDA.

And, the agency adds, there’s “no such thing as waterproof sunscreen,” only “water-resistant.” “Water resistant” sunscreens “are required to state whether the sunscreen remains effective for 40 minutes or 80 minutes when swimming or sweating.”

Other ways to protect your skin

“Sunscreen alone is not enough” to protect your skin from the sun’s rays, the Skin Cancer Foundation cautions.

“Seek the shade whenever possible, wear sun-safe clothing, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-blocking sunglasses, for a complete sun protection strategy,” the group recommends.