Sentara MHJ Summer 2022 - Choose Your Sunscreen Wisely

Choose Your Sunscreen Wisely

Statistics show that one in five Americans will eventually develop skin cancer, so wearing an effective sunscreen is vital to help protect against the disease. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, however, not all sunscreens are created equal. For maximum protection, be sure to use a broad-spectrum or multispectrum sunscreen that protects your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, the two types of ultraviolet radiation from the sun that can cause skin damage, including skin cancer.

In addition, choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. SPF measures how effective a sunscreen is at blocking harmful UVB rays, and the higher the SPF, the more protection the sunscreen offers.

Finally, choose a water-resistant sunscreen. Apply generously to all exposed areas of skin, according to the directions on the bottle, and reapply at least every two hours—or more frequently, if you are swimming or sweating. One fluid ounce of sunscreen (about the volume of a full shot glass) is considered the approximate amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body adequately.