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Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Here comes the sun - Harvard Health - Harvard Health

With summer approaching, you need to be more attentive about sun protection.

Men have many skin challenges as they age. They develop wrinkles, lines, spots, and discoloration. Older men also are at greater risk for the two most common skin cancers: basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

Without adequate sun protection, these conditions can become more frequent and severe.

"Unfortunately, earlier sun damage catches up to you after a certain age and makes skin problems worse," says Dr. Vinod Nambudiri, an assistant professor of dermatology at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. "So you need to be even more diligent about sun protection to prevent further damage and shield yourself from skin cancer."

Save your skin

What are the best ways to approach proper sun protection? As always, it begins with sunscreen. "Sunscreen is your best weapon against the skin-damaging rays from the sun," says Dr. Nambudiri.

However, many people don't always follow the rules regarding using sunscreen whenever they are outside for any period of time.

Results from the 2020 RealSelf Sun Safety Report found that 46% of adults surveyed said they never wear sunscreen, and more than half of this group believe they are not exposed to the sun long enough to need it. Approximately 14% of these never-users say they want to wear sunscreen but often forget to do so.

When choosing your sunscreen, Dr. Nambudiri says to focus on three items: broad-spectrum coverage, SPF number, and water resistance. Here's a look at each.

Broad-spectrum coverage. This means the sunscreen protects against both UVB sun rays — the leading cause of redness and sunburns — and UVA, which penetrates deeper into the skin and contributes to skin aging and wrinkles. Both of them can damage DNA, raising the risk of skin cancer. Other terms you might see on labels that mean the same thing are "multi-spectrum" or "UVA/UVB protection."

SPF. This stands for sun protection factor. The higher the SPF number, the greater the protection. For instance, SPF 30 blocks 97% of the UVB rays, and SPF 50 blocks 98%. However, the number has a limit. "Anything higher than 70 SPF does not really provide much extra protection," says Dr. Nambudiri. He recommends sticking with sunscreen with a 30 to 50 SPF.

Water resistance. No sunscreen is waterproof, but water-resistant sunscreen withstands water and sweat — at least for a limited time.

Also, you don't have to buy name brands over generics, as most sunscreens have the same active ingredients. "However, if you have skin allergies or sensitive skin, pay attention to the ingredients, and choose hypoallergenic brands," says Dr. Nambudiri.

Cover yourself

Sunscreen is just one way to protect your skin from the sun. Here are some other tips on dressing the part when outside for long periods.

  • Always wear a hat with a four-inch brim all around and sunglasses that block sunlight from the sides. Neck gaiters, popular with fishermen, can keep your neck and even your head cool and protected.
  • Opt for synthetic clothing fibers, like polyester, Lycra, nylon, and acrylic. These have elastic threads that pull the fibers close together and block more of the sun's rays. Also, darker colors offer more protection than lighter ones.

Apply and reapply

The mantra for sunscreen is to use it early and often when exposed to the sun. "Apply 15 to 20 minutes before heading outside for any extended time, and then reapply every two hours when quality protection begins to wane," says Dr. Nambudiri. (Set a timer to remind you.)

Sunscreens often come in white lotions, clear gels, and sprays. While each has its advantages, Dr. Nambudiri favors lotions as it's easier to see how well you cover large areas like the chest and arms. Apply at least two tablespoons over all exposed areas of the face and body, with a nickel-sized dollop to the face alone.

"Wet your skin for easier application, and ask someone to help apply to your back and other hard-to-reach areas," says Dr. Nambudiri. Also, don't forget your ears, neck, and scalp, the tops of your feet, and the backs of your legs.

Use a gel on your face if you have a beard, as a gel is easier to apply into facial hair than a lotion. For small and sensitive areas like around the eyes and the lips, use a sunscreen stick.

Personal satisfaction is essential with sunscreen. "If you don't like how it looks and feels, you are less likely to use it," says Dr. Nambudiri. "Experiment with different brands and types until you find one you like."

Soothing sunburns

A sunburn is your skin's way of saying that cells have been damaged or killed. "Immediately treat burns, and make sure the damaged area has completely healed before exposing it again," says dermatologist Dr. Vinod Nambudiri of Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women's Hospital. Here are some ways to soothe sunburns and speed up healing.

Keep it cool. Soak the skin in cool water for several minutes every few hours.

Moisturize. Apply moisturizer to help the skin turn over damaged cells. Use an over-the-counter corticosteroid cream or soothing aloe vera gel to reduce inflammation.

Stay hydrated. Fluids are lost through sunburned skin, so make sure to increase your daily water intake.

Make it a daily ritual

Don't wait until you go outside to practice good sun protection. Make it part of your daily health care ritual, like bathing and brushing your teeth.

For instance, after you wash your face in the morning, apply a facial moisturizer that contains sunscreen with at least 30 SPF. "This reinforces the importance of protecting your skin every day, all year round," says Dr. Nambudiri.

Image: © LumiNola/Getty Images

Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

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