5 Tips for Outdoor Sun Safety

It’s no longer just a good idea to practice outdoor sun safety. It’s mandatory!

Be extra careful to practice outdoor sun safety this summer. Skin cancer is on the rise and not likely to fade away from American sun worshipers.

However, it’s not necessary to stay inside all summer reading a book. You can still get out and enjoy summer activities like biking, swimming and enjoying a vacation on the beach. You just have to adjust to some healthy sun lifestyle changes.

Tips for Outdoor Sun Safety:

1. Use a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher anytime you are outdoors. This applies to all outdoor activities: even waiting for a bus includes sun exposure. Apply sunscreen liberally at least 20 minutes before you go outside and reapply at least every 2 hours; more often if you have been swimming or sweating. Make sure to cover often-missed spots including lips, ears, hands, and feet. Even if you aren’t planning on being outside, it is important to use a lotion that contains sunscreen on a daily basis. The number one cause of skin aging is long-term exposure to sunlight.
2. Don’t be skimpy when it comes to the amount of sunscreen and how often you should apply. Most people don’t use enough. Cover all exposed skin. Most adults need about 1 ounce or a shot glass full to cover their entire body. Allow the sunscreen to sink in and dry for about 15 minutes before going outside. When outdoors, reapply sunscreen approximately every two hours, or after swimming or sweating, according to the directions on the bottle.
3. Use the best sunscreens. Georgia Dermatology sells some of the highest quality sunscreens on the market.
4. NEW! EltaMD UV Aero Broad-Spectrum SPF 45. CONTINUOUS SPRAY sunscreen with transparent zinc oxide sprays on white so you can be sure of coverage then dries clear. It provides fast and convenient sun protection for children and adults and makes it easy to protect hard-to-reach places.
5. EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum – SPF 41,  3 oz Tube

• • UVA/UVB Sun Protection
  • SPF 41 with 9% Zinc Oxide & 7% Titanium Dioxide
  • Chemical Free-natural mineral UV protection
  • Lightly tinted
  • Water Resistant
  • Ideal for very sensitive skin and children
  • Absorbs quickly and can be used on the face and body
  • Antioxidants to neutralize free radicals to help prevent sun damage
  • Noncomedogenic, paraben-free, fragrance-free and sensitivity-free
  • Active Ingredients: 9.0% Zinc Oxide, 7.0% Titanium Dioxide

Go shopping! Seek out some of the new cool sun shirts or the new long sleeve swim suits. Of course you want to coordinate with a new sun hat. Everyone is wearing them! Georgia Dermatology in Cumming, GA carries a great selection of sun hats and you can find sun shirts and long sleeve bathing suits online at Coolibar, Athleta, and Lands End. Also wear sunglasses with lenses that have 99% to 100% UV absorption to provide optimal protection for the eyes and surrounding skin.

Limit the amount of time you spend in the sun. We know you love the outdoors but it’s time to use some common sense because you don’t want to develop skin cancer. Try to avoid being out in the sun from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This is when the sun’s rays are the most intense. Practice the shadow rule: if your shadow is shorter than you, the sun’s rays are at their strongest, and you should find shade.

Now that you have these important guidelines for outdoor sun safety, you must practice them every day! No more thinking you can get away with taking chances. The sun is dangerous and you’ve got to be smart about protecting your largest organ – your skin!