The heat has begun in New York: how to properly protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun

It's only the middle of April, and the heat has already begun in New York. Playing in the sun, of course, is very joyful, but not safe. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, but also the most preventable. To avoid the disease, you just need to properly protect the skin from sun exposure. The best line of defense against skin cancer is sunscreen. About how to choose it correctly and how to use it, the publication told Live Science.

What is sunscreen

Sunscreen is essentially a barrier that protects the skin from absorbing ultraviolet (UV) rays. There are two types of UV rays that affect the skin. UVA rays accelerate skin aging. UVB rays cause sunburn.

Sunscreen is considered an over-the-counter medicine. According to FDA regulations, a sunscreen can only be considered “broad spectrum” if it protects against both types of UV rays.

Protection level

In addition to spectrum information, the label must include a number called a sun protection factor (SPF). SPF is the level of how well a sunscreen blocks UV rays. SPF 30 sunscreen blocks 97% of the sun's UVB rays, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. The higher the SPF number, the better the cream will block UVB rays.

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However, it is important to understand that no sunscreen is 100% blocking UV rays. No matter how high the SPF number, all sunscreens last the same amount of time. For example, a sunscreen with SPF 80 does not allow you to stay outdoors longer than sunscreen with SPF 15. The former simply blocks more rays while you are outdoors. All sunscreens must be reapplied every two hours or immediately after swimming and sweating.

Sunscreen should be kept in a cool, dry place. Properly stored, it can keep its effectiveness for five to 10 years, unless, of course, an expiration date is indicated on it.

Which sunscreen is better

There are hundreds of brands of sunscreens on the market, but not all are equally effective in protecting skin.

“Choose sunscreens that provide full spectrum protection,” advises Dr. Peter Capizzi, a cosmetic surgeon based in Charlotte, North Carolina. - Traditional sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays. It is best to use a sunscreen that also protects against HEV (High Energy Visible Light), which has been shown to cause skin cancer, premature aging and hyperpigmentation. "

In addition, you need to choose a cream with a high SPF - at least 30 and even on cloudy days. Waterproof sunscreen can also be helpful, especially when swimming or sweating.

How much sunscreen to apply

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, most people don't use enough sunscreen. Many people apply 25 to 50 percent of the recommended amount of this product to the skin.

Exposed skin should be covered generously with cream. If you are wearing a swimsuit, on average one ounce (about 30 g) of cream will be needed to treat exposed areas of the body. Remember to reapply every two hours.

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An abundant amount is needed to completely cover the skin. Timing matters too. Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before going outdoors to allow it to form a protective layer on the skin.

Do not forget about applying sunscreen to your lips. Lip balms that contain sunscreen are the best way to protect them.

What other types of protection exist

In addition to sunscreen, there are many ways to protect your body from sun damage. There are swimwear specially designed for UV protection. Long sleeves, trousers, and a wide-brimmed hat can also be good protectors to prevent sun damage to your skin.

According to the Mayo Clinic, eyes can also be sunburned and damaged, so it's important to protect them. Sunglasses are best.

However, even when wearing sunglasses, light can enter the eyes from the side and back - the light is reflected off the back of the lens of the sunglasses. Therefore, choose polarized sunglasses with anti-reflective coating on the inside of the lenses.