Wear sunscreen – encore

Based on several questions that came up after the "wear sunscreen" article I wanted to write a few small additional note:

• The amount of SPF in makeup is not sufficient to cover you properly

• Even in the winter you should wear sunscreen on your face, neck, and hands

• There are special formulations for the face, these "milks" absorb much faster and feel nicer on the skin (I like Neutrogena: click here)

• Use high SPF on face, hand, neck (at least 55 SPF) all year round

• Even on a cloudy day you are not protected from UV radiation without sunscreen

• Sprays can be difficult to handle:

1. You inhale much of it while spraying
2. They are greasy and make your skin feel sweaty
3. When you spray them indoors they leave a film on your carpet, hardwood floors or tiles
4. The film on the tiles or hardwood floor can get dangerously slippery and you may fall on it (this almost happened to me)
5. You never know whether you applied the right amount of spray

When to use spray?

• It might be easier to use spray on small children rather than the lotion
• Outdoors or at the beach the spray falls into the sand rather than on your furniture
• If you don't have anybody to help you lotion your back you might be able to spray it yourself (might be tricky for some of you)

Otherwise, look for a lotion

• There are lighter formulations in lotions out there and I would really continue looking until you find what you like
• I would definitively use the highest SPF you can get for the days spent outside
• we usually don't apply the amount recommended (so we already lose SPF from that)
• after 45 min of sweating or in the water you cut your SPF in half

Example:   

• you start with 50 SPF lotion
• you put on too little: now you are at ~ 30 SPF
• after 45 min of sweating you are down to about 15 SPF
• You continue to lose half of that every 45 min without re-applying...
• So: Reapply, reapply, reapply

In the end of the day: Be a role model for others.

And don't get frustrated. I can't even get my own husband to use sunscreen regularly; but I won't give up!

Be well,

Dr. B