Blog

Does it seem like every time the sun comes out this Summer, you find yourself sitting behind a computer screen, in the office and at work? Than you too must live in New England. What this means is that every moment in the sun must be taken full advantage of UV rays, sunscreen, tan lines and all. It might feel like it’s been hard to catch any time in the sun this Summer, but it’s important to be prepared for those hot, New England days.

Here are 3 fast facts about sunscreen and keeping yourself protected against the sun this Summer:

1. Why should I wear sunscreen? 
   Sunscreen reduces your risk of a sunburn which causes skin cancer, pre-mature aging and other skin issues. Exposure to sun may cause damage to elastin and collagen leading to discoloration (liver/sun spots) in the face, head, hands and arms as well as wrinkles, fine lines and the appearance of leathery skin. Sunburned skin is often red, painful and inflamed- wearing sunscreen reduces the risk of this.
2. What SPF should I use?
   Browsing the grocery store isle looking for the right sunscreen can be an overwhelming task. Sunscreen comes in a variety of SPF’s, there is spray vs. lotion, specific ones for the face, those meant for babies, those not meant for babies, oh and the one you can choose to make sure if it rubs off in the ocean it’s not damaging the coral reefs. So how should you make your decision? The best sunscreen is the one you are most likely going to put on every day. It’s easy to get into specifics of why lotions might be better then sprays and the chemicals you want to avoid putting on your babies skin- side note: you should not put sunscreen on babies under 6 months old.  Here are some helpful tips: you should always use sunscreen that is at least SPF 30 and if you are someone who spends most of the day outside consider using something a little stronger, SPF 60 or more. Most important is when you apply and how often. You should apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going out in the sun and then every two hours after, always re-apply immediately after swimming or sweating.
3. Ways to protect your skin
   In addition to making sunscreen application a daily part of your skincare routine the best way to avoid getting burned is to stay out of the sun. Do your best to spend time in shaded areas when outside, pack a wide brimmed hat, do your best to cover your skin by wearing pants or long sleeve shirts- just be sure they are lightweight to prevent overheating. UV rays are the strongest between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM so if you need to be outside in hot weather plan for early in the morning or late in the afternoon when the sun is not as strong.

The sun also means heat, check out our blog: Top 3 Heat Related Illnesses and How to Stay Healthy, to learn more about how to avoid overheating.

Northbridge pro tip: Our favorite way to beat the heat is a trip to the local ice cream shop!

For tips on staying healthy in the Fall, check out our blog post: 5 Tips for Staying Healthy

Sources:
Johns Hopkins Medicine 
Mahoney Dermatology 
Skin Cancer Foundation