Sun Safety Tips

Sun Safety Tips  

I’m sure a lot of you have been spending more time outside lately. After all, things are reopening and the world is returning to a state of somewhat normalcy, but its also Summer. Not just summer, but a hot summer at that! There are a couple of important tips when it comes to staying safe under the sun!  

Sunscreen Tips 

If you can’t stay covered up or in the shade when its sunny out you need to be wearing sunscreen.  

How much Sunscreen should I be putting on? 

You should be putting on around an ounce of sunscreen on all exposed skin at least 15 minutes before you head outside.  

What SPF should I buy? 

There is a lot of debate on “SPF,” from our research we’ve found that it seems like 30 SPF is definitely the minimum you should aim for. What do the different numbers mean? Well, the number refers to the ratio it increases your protection from the sun. We all have an amount of time it takes for our skin to turn red. That time can vary between 1 minute to 15. You can find an SPF by dividing the time it takes for your skin to turn red while using a sunscreen divided by the time it takes for your skin to turn red without sunscreen.  For example: if it normally takes around 10 minutes for your skin to get red, then an SPF 30 sunscreen will protect you for 300 minutes.  

BUT, its important to know that that’s in a perfect situation where the sunscreen isn’t being rubbed or washed off! If you only have an SPF 15, that’s alright, just make sure you’re reapplying it more often. 

How Often Should I reapply Sunscreen? 

The time it takes varies, but we suggest you reapply it every 2 hours if you’re just walking around and every hour if you’re swimming or working up a sweat.  

What else should I look for in a Sunscreen?  

There is no such thing as “waterproof sunscreen.” But it can be water/sweat resistant! We recommend you buy this sunscreen! Most sunscreens will tell you how long they’ll protect you if you’re swimming or sweating as well. Also make sure you’re buying broad spectrum sunscreen, that will protect you from UVB and UVA radiation (these can cause skin cancer). Also, check the expiration date! 

General Tips 

Sunscreen is a great tool, but its not the only tool. There are many more things to consider before you’re planning that outdoor outing!  

  • 11am-3pm is the worst time for the sun 
  • Wear tightly woven layers 
  • Hats and sunglasses don’t just make it easier to see, they also protect the sensitive skin around your eyes.  
  • If you’re taking antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, antifungals, blood pressure medication, or are undergoing chemotherapy be sure you check with your doctor before spending a lot of time outdoors! They could make you even more sensitive to the sun.  

Want to learn more? The FDA has a great article linked here! 

Stay safe out there!