Sunscreen Use and Misuse

Why should I wear sunscreen?

• NOT to tan with out burning -- tanning without burning still exposues you to UV radiation which causes skin cancer
• NOT to increase your time in the sun
• TO protect yourself from the UV radiation of the sun when you can't stay in the shade or cover up
  • Sunscreen alone is not considered adequate protection against UV radiation

I wear sunscreen while tanning at the beach so I don't burn, isn't that good enough?

The tan is the response of your skin to the damage caused by UV radiation, which also causes skin cancer. Sunscreen blocks some of the UV radiation from the sun but not all of it, this is why your skin can become tanned while wearing sunscreen. Staying in the sun longer to get a tan while wearing sunscreen still expose you to lots of UV radiation and still causes skin cancer.

How do I put on sunscreen properly?

• Most people only put on 1/2 to 1/4 the recommended amount of sunscreen on; SPF 60 becomes SPF 15 and SPF 15 becomes SPF 4.
• Use at least SPF 30
• Use sunscreen labeled -- broad-spectrum
• Apply enough sunscreen to make your skin white until the sunscreen absorbs into it
• Sunscreen works right away when you apply it
• but if you are going in the water, apply sunscreen 30 - 60 minutes before you go in the water so that it doesn't wash off
• Don't forget your ears and feet
• Remember SPF 30 Lip balm - Skin cancer is common on the lower lip