This is the second blog post in a short series focusing on skin and sun protection! The way you treat your skin now will have an impact on your skin and health in the future. This series will teach you about all the ways to begin protecting yourself now!
Q: Why do I need to protect my skin from the sun?
A. It is important to protect our skin from the sun because sunburn is a form of skin damage, which can increase a person’s risk of developing skin cancer. Sunburns occur when a person spends too long in the sun. The sun gives off ultraviolet light that can cause serious damage to the skin.
Q: What increases my chances of getting skin damage?
A: Some of the following can increase one's chances of getting skin damage:
i. Pale or light-colored skin
ii. Spending a lot of time outside without using protective products like sunscreen
iii. Taking certain medications that increase the skin's sensitivity to sunlight.
Q: What can I do to protect my skin and prevent skin cancer?
A: The following are some of the ways to protect your skin and prevent skin cancer:
- Stay out of the sun during the times when the sun produces the strongest light which is the middle of the day (10 am – 4 pm)
- Wear clothing that will protect the skin from direct sunlight like wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, or long pants.
- Wear sunscreen daily. Put sunscreen on all parts of the body that are not covered by clothes. It is important to reapply sunscreen every 2-3 hours, or after you sweat or swim.
- Avoid the use of tanning beds.
- Protect your lips by wearing a lip balm with SPF!
Q: What should I look for when choosing sunscreen?
A: When choosing the correct sunscreen, it is important to consider:
- Has SPF 30 or greater. SPF is important because it tells you how well the sunscreen will protect your skin from UV light.
- Protects against UVA and UVB, which are two types of UV light.
- Has not expired or is not more than 3 years old.
Caroline Clark, DO
USF Department of Pediatrics, PGY-2
University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
Ybor Youth Clinic - You can learn more information about making an appointment here!