Savvy Use of Sunscreen Reduces the Risk of Getting Too Much Summer Sun

Monday, July 14, 2008

ROCHESTER, Minn. — Sunning in the summer feels oh-so-good. But ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light damage the skin and increase the risk of skin cancer. Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for all skin cancers, including melanoma. UV exposure — even when no sunburn occurs — increases the risk of cancer.

Savvy use of sunscreen reduces the risk of damage from the sun's harmful rays. Apply about a palmful (1 ounce) of a water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher to your arms, legs, neck and face 30 minutes before going outside. Reapply every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating.

According to the July issue of Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource, when selecting a sunscreen, consider:

Forms: Options include lotions, creams, ointments, gels, wipes, wax sticks, sprays, lip balm and cosmetics. Choose the form that you'll use most often.

Types: Physical sunscreens form an opaque film that reflects or scatters UV light before it can penetrate the skin. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays before they can cause damage. Most newer sunscreens combine several different active ingredients to protect against both UVA and UVB radiation. Look for oxybezone, sulisobenzone, avobenzone (Parsol 1789) or ecamsule in the ingredients. For those reluctant to use chemical sunscreens, physical sunscreens that combine zinc oxide and titanium dioxide offer broad protection.

Protection: All sunscreens are labeled with a sun protection factor that measures the amount of UVB protection. A higher number means more protection. In the future, sunscreen labels will include a star rating, indicating the amount of UVA protection in addition to the SPF number. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Broad-spectrum products protect against both types of rays.

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