4 Surprising Times You Need to Wear Sunscreen
Medical Review By: Tanya Sperber, APRN
You know you’re supposed to wear sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days and in winter, but there are times when you probably wouldn’t think to bother with it. For example, what’s the point if you’re going to spend most of your day in your office?
Surprise! You can be exposed to ultraviolet (UV) rays in some common places that aren’t exactly outdoors. Over time, this exposure may contribute to an increased risk of wrinkles and skin cancer.
Prepare to slather on sun protection when you find yourself in the following situations.
Sitting by a window
Windows protect you from the sun’s rays, right? Yes and no. Glass blocks most UVB rays, the ones that cause sunburn. That’s why many people assume it’s fine to sit by a sunny window without wearing sunscreen. But according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 50% of UVA rays, which are the main cause of premature aging and also contribute to some skin cancers, pass through glass.
If you’re sitting next to a window, or even if you’re a few feet away from it, it’s a good idea to wear sunscreen. For maximum protection, choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
"The best way to incorporate sunscreen in your regimen is to find one you love," said Tanya Sperber, APRN, a board-certified advanced practice registered nurse with Water's Edge Dermatology. "Elta MD Elements is a lightweight tinted sunscreen women can apply everyday prior to applying makeup. This sunscreen provides all the benefits of a physical barrier sunscreen without feeling heavy on the skin, apply makeup over or just apply sunscreen and go. A great non-tinted option for men is Elta MD Sheer - it works well for men with facial hair, rubs in completely and if you’re not sweating or swimming, you’re protected all day with a barrier zinc sunscreen."
If your desk or favorite perch is near a window, consider installing UV-blocking window film for extra protection. These block up to 99.9% of UV radiation and are available in a variety of tints. You can have window film professionally installed or buy it at a home improvement store and install it yourself.
Driving your car
Does the left side of your face have more wrinkles or age spots than the right? Driving may be the reason.
While the windshield of your car blocks most UVA (and UVB) rays, your side windows may provide less protection. A 2016 study found that while windshields in a car blocked an average of 96% of UVA radiation, the side windows blocked an average of just 71%.
The difference is due to the types of glass. Windshields are made of two plates of glass with a layer of plastic between to make them shatterproof. Side windows don’t have that plastic layer, which is what provides most of the windshield’s UVA protection.
Experts suspect that weaker UVA protection from side windows may help explain why skin cancer is more common on the left side of the body. So, if you have a daily commute or spend long periods of time in a car, wear sunscreen. Do so even if the side windows are tinted, since the level of UVA protection that tinted windows provide varies. Remember to apply it to your arms, hands, and face.
Keep the sunscreen handy, but don’t store it in the car. The heat that gets trapped in the car can break down the chemicals in sunscreen and make it less effective.
You can also protect yourself by installing UV-blocking window film on your car’s side windows.
Traveling by plane
If you find yourself in a window seat on your next flight, you’ll need more than your boarding pass before takeoff: You’ll need a thorough application of sunscreen, too.
At 30,000 feet, the sun is much stronger than at ground level, and windows on planes (and buses and trains) may not provide adequate protection from UVA rays.
While the risk of sun damage and skin cancer appears to be higher for pilots and flight crew members than passengers, it’s still smart to wear sunscreen when you fly. Just remember that the Transportation Safety Administration currently allows no more than 3.4 ounces of sunscreen in a carry-on.
Getting a gel manicure
Love gel manicures? You’re not alone. Gels make manicures last longer compared to nail polish, but they have to be set using nail lamps that emit high-intensity UVA light.
The risk of UV damage and skin cancer from the lamps, if any, is probably low. A recent review of medical literature did not find evidence of an increased risk of skin cancer in people under 40 who’ve had gel manicures. Still, the American Academy of Dermatology suggests applying sunscreen to your hands protect yourself. If you prefer, you can wear dark, opaque gloves with the fingertips snipped off.
If you get gel manicures regularly, consider saving them for special occasions.
Article Written By: Jessica Brown, a health and science writer/editor based in Brooklyn, New York. She has written for Prevention magazine, jnj.com, BCRF.org and many other outlets.
Sun Safety
Summertime is fun time to spend outdoors. But in sunny Florida, that means more exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Those UV rays can damage unprotected skin in as little as 15 minutes and even lead to skin cancer. Here are some tips to keep you sun safe all year long.
Seek Shade
One of the easiest ways to reduce your exposure to damaging UV rays is to get in the shade. Seek shade under a tree, umbrella or another shelter in order to reduce your risk of sun damage. You’ll help your skin look younger longer and lower your risk of developing skin cancer.
Protective Clothing
Cover up with long-sleeved shirts and long pants when you can to protect your skin from the sun’s harsh UV rays. There are clothing options available that contain a UV protectant built into the fabric. Also, remember that a wet t-shirt provides less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colored clothing protects better than light-colored clothing. Don’t forget to top it off with a hat with a brim all the way around that shades your face, ears, and back of the neck. If you choose a baseball cap instead, be sure to protect your ears and the back of your neck with sunscreen of at least 30 SPF.
Sunglasses
Choose sunglasses that are labeled UV protectant to reduce the risk of developing cataracts. Most of the sunglasses sold in the U.S. block both UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses also protect the skin around your eyes from sun damage, and wrap-around sunglasses are an excellent option to block UV rays that might sneak in from the side.
Wear Sunscreen
Choosing the right sunscreen can be daunting, so we recommend following these four rules to make it easier:
- Broad-spectrum – Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects the skin from both ultraviolet A (also known as UVA) and ultraviolet B (also known as UVB) rays. Both of these rays can cause skin cancer.
- SPF 30 or higher – The sun protection factor (SPF) rating indicates how well a sunscreen protects you from the sun by blocking harmful UVB rays. Choose a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to make sure you are protected.
- Key ingredients – Look for active ingredients like ecamsule, avobenzone, titanium dioxide, sulisobenzone or zinc oxide. Beware of products that include oxybenzone or octinoxate which are harmful to the environment. Some areas of Florida have banned the sale of sunscreen with oxybenzone and octinoxate because these chemicals can damage coral reefs.
- Avoid tanning oils – They generally do not provide enough protection against the harmful effects of the sun.
How to Apply Sunscreen & How Often
To get the maximum protection from your sunscreen, follow these recommendations:
- One ounce of sunscreen is considered the right amount. Cover all exposed areas of the body thoroughly. Don’t skimp. Many people don’t use enough sunscreen.
- Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going in the sun. Don’t forget the tips of the ears, feet, back of the legs and bald spot (if you have one). Reapply sunscreen every two hours and use a UV-protective lip balm to cover your lips.
- If you are exercising or are in the water, it’s a good idea to get a sunscreen that is resistant to water and sweat. The FDA defines water resistant to mean that the SPF level stays effective after 40 minutes in the water. Very water-resistant means it is effective after 80 minutes of swimming. These sunscreens are not waterproof, so reapply regularly.
Protecting your skin from the harmful rays of the sun can help you look younger and prevent skin cancer. Just to be on the safe side, be sure to get a skin cancer screening every year, so if you do develop skin cancer, it can be detected and treated early.
Schedule a skin cancer screening at your nearest Water’s Edge Dermatology office.
Spotting Skin Cancer
Have you ever looked at a spot on your skin and asked yourself, “Should I be concerned about that?” Most of us have. At Water’s Edge Dermatology, we want to help make everyone smarter about skin cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States. Early detection is vital. When diagnosed early, skin cancer treatment has a high success rate. Though most skin cancer occurs on the outside of your body, it can appear anywhere – from your scalp to between your toes and even the bottoms of your feet and under your nails.
The American Academy of Dermatology encourages everyone to conduct regular skin self-exams. That way you can be aware of any changes in your skin over time. If possible, have a partner do a skin check with you and help you examine hard-to-see areas like your scalp and back.
What skin cancer looks like
Skin cancer can appear on the body in different ways and can look like:
- A changing mole or mole that appears different from your other moles;
- A dome-shaped growth;
- A scaly patch;
- A non-healing sore or sore that heals and comes back;
- A brown or black streak under a finger or toenail.
Dermatologists sum it up this way: If you notice a spot on your skin that differs from the others, changes, itches or bleeds, you see your dermatologist and have it checked out.
But I don’t feel sick
You can have skin cancer and feel just fine. In fact, most people who find a suspicious spot on their skin or a streak under a nail report that they don’t feel ill. If you notice a suspicious-looking spot, make an appointment with your Water's Edge Dermatology provider. Remember, when diagnosed early, skin cancer treatment is highly successful. If it is allowed time to grow, treatment can become more difficult.
There are three main types of skin cancer: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are quite common and generally not life-threatening. Often, they can be treated using non-surgical methods such as Electron Beam Therapy. MOHS surgery is sometimes recommended depending on the size and location of the skin cancer.
Melanoma is a more serious type of skin cancer, though when detected early, melanoma is also highly treatable. People with an increased risk of melanoma, including men older than 50, people with more than 50 moles or large or unusual moles, people with fair skin, and those with a history of cancer, should talk to a dermatologist about how often they should schedule a skin exam from their practitioner.
What will the dermatologist do?
When you see your dermatologist for a suspicious spot, the provider will first examine the area. If it looks like it could be skin cancer, your dermatologist will remove all or part of it as part of a skin biopsy. A biopsy of the suspicious growth is the only way to diagnose skin cancer.
The biopsy is reviewed under a microscope by a dermapathologist to see if cancer cells are present. If cancer cells are identified, the biopsy report explain what type of skin cancer cells were found. Following a skin cancer diagnosis, your dermatologist can recommend the best skin cancer treatment for you.
If no cancer cells are found, the biopsy report will explain what was found under the microscope.
Water’s Edge Dermatology recommends that everyone have skin cancer screenings from a board-certified dermatologist, especially in sunny Florida. Schedule an appointment today and enjoy peace of mind. Click here to Request an Appointment or call 877.533.8214.
Tips for Preventing Skin Cancer
Did you know that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime? Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and when caught early, it is also the most treatable. For those who work outside or participate in regular outdoor activities, covering up and choosing the right sunscreen can help prevent skin cancer.
Most people know that sunscreen is your best tool to lower the risk of skin cancer, especially the deadliest form, melanoma, as well as reduce skin aging caused by the sun. But did you know that it’s all about the right sunscreen and how you use it?
What to Look For
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that consumers choose a sunscreen product with the following qualities:
- Broad spectrum – Broad spectrum sunscreen protects the skin from both ultraviolet A (also known as UVA) and ultraviolet B (also known as UVB) rays because both can cause skin cancer.
- SPF 15 or higher – The SPF rating indicates how well a sunscreen will protect you from sunburn. SPF 15 is effective in blocking harmful UVB rays for most people. If you are fair skinned, have a family history of skin cancer, or conditions such as lupus that increase sensitivity to sunlight, consider SPF 30 or higher.
- Key ingredients - Ecamsule, avobenzone, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, sulisobenzone, or zinc oxide. These ingredients block UVA rays.
How to Apply & How Often
While choosing the best sunscreen is important, using it correctly is something a lot of people are confused about. One ounce of sunscreen, which is enough to fill a shot glass, is considered the right amount. Cover all exposed areas of the body thoroughly. Don’t skimp. Many people don’t use enough sunscreen.
Apply sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before going out in the sun. Don’t forget the tips of the ears, feet, back of the legs, and bald spot if you have one. Reapply sunscreen every two hours. Use a UV-protective lip balm to protect your lips.
If you are going to be exercising or in the water, it’s a good idea to get a sunscreen that is resistant to water and sweat. The FDA defines water resistant to mean that the SPF level stays effective after 40 minutes in the water. Very water resistant means it is effective after 80 minutes of swimming. These sunscreens are not waterproof, so you’ll need to reapply regularly.
Additional Protection
It’s important to wear sunscreen whenever you are outside during daylight hours. Even on an overcast day, 80 percent of the dangerous UV rays make it through. Even in winter months, exposure to the sun can damage your skin. Though vitally important, sunscreen will not fully protect your skin from the sun’s rays, so also consider these additional precautions to protect your skin from sun damage:
- Stay in the shade when you can.
- Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes, preferably with polarized lenses.
- Stay inside between 10 and 4 when the UV levels are the highest.
- Wear a hat and cover up with sun-protective clothing.
Skin is the largest barrier against infection that we have. Keeping your skin healthy and shielding it from the harmful rays of the sun can help you look younger and prevent skin cancer. So, play it safe and smart – screen up!
Click here to request an appointment with Water’s Edge Dermatology.