Top 5 sunscreen-neglected areas
According to From, the areas we most overlook when slathering on sunscreen are:
1. Ears
2. Tops of feet
3. Back
4. Shoulders
5. Neck
Ask the doctors
Dermatologists Lisa Kellett and Lynn From address a few burning issues
about sunscreen.
Q: How much sunscreen should I use?
A: As a general rule, you should apply sunscreen liberally enough that you see a white film on your skin. "If the opaque layer becomes invisible as you smooth it on," says Kellett, "you've stretched the screen too thin."
Q: Is there a right time to apply sunscreen before going outside?
A: Yes. "Sunscreens work most effectively if they're applied 15 to 20 minutes before you head out into the sun," says From. "That's the amount of time it takes for the product to ‘set' on the skin."
There's another timing issue you need to think about, says From: "Consider that if you apply an entire family's sunscreen while outdoors, by the time the third or fourth child gets theirs, that child will have already had an excessive dose of UV rays."
Q: How often should I reapply my and my family's sunscreen?
A: Reapply it every two to three hours to be safe. But if your kids are in and out of the water, you may want to reapply more frequently, even if the block your little ones are wearing is labelled "water-resistant" or "waterproof." That's not because the sunscreen has washed off, says From, "but rather because vigorous towelling can rub off the product."
Q: Do sunscreens have expiry dates?
A: Yes, and some products will have that date printed right on the package. If not, expect yours to last for a couple of seasons, unless it has been exposed to either extreme heat or extreme cold. "Sunscreens can degenerate if fried in the sun," says From. "Or if they're frozen — so don't leave them at the cottage all winter and expect to use them the following summer."
Q: I have sensitive skin. Can I still use sunscreen?
A: Yes. Start by looking for sunscreens marked "hypoallergenic," meaning they contain far fewer fragrance and colour additives but still have all of the protective benefits of regular sunscreens. "Children's blocks may contain slightly fewer preservatives, which some adults find easier to tolerate," says Kellett. If you're still having trouble, your dermatologist may recommend an allergy test to determine which ingredient in the formula is bothering you. Then she can recommend a different sunscreen for you — one that doesn't contain any of the allergens.
Dr. Mom
Skin cancer (including melanoma, basal cell and squamous cell) is still the most common form of cancer: almost 80,000 Canadians are diagnosed with it each year. A shocking 80 per cent of those diagnoses are made thanks to the watchful eyes of wives, mothers and grandmothers. "I see so many men in my practice that are brought in by their partners," says From. "Women just seem to be more vigilant about detecting questionable marks on their family members."
The experts say that we should play detective at least once a month. Examine skin from head to toe for "anything new and anything that changes in shape, colour or size," says Kellett. "Forget this business about only black marks being cause for concern. I've seen brown moles that are malignant and black blotches that are benign."
Kellett tells patients to stand naked in front of a full-length mirror when they're doing a skin inspection, using a second, hand-held mirror to view their backs. The easiest time to examine the kids for moles and discolourations is while towelling them off after a bath.
Tip: "Using a blow dryer on dry hair makes detecting suspicious marks on the scalp easier," says Kellett. "The hair flies up, revealing the scalp, an often-overlooked area."
Gearing up
While sunscreens are good, nothing beats the protection offered by clothing. "Even a cotton T-shirt will block out most of the damaging UV rays," says From, who tells her patients to keep their kids clothed no matter how high the mercury soars.
Most broad-brimmed, cloth hats offer an SPF of 50, making them a must. But, cautions Kellett, hats should not replace sunscreen; 85 per cent of harmful UVB rays bounce back from concrete, water and sand. Special, chemically treated clothing offering high SPF values are also taking up more and more space on retail racks. Look for well-known brands of sun-blocking clothes and hats, such as Physician Endorsed.
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