I scream, you scream, we all scream for sunscreen!

Key Takeaways:

• Skin cancer is the most prevalent type of all cancers.
• The most effective sunscreen is the one you’ll actually use.
• Focus on sunscreens that are water resistant and those that have properties that make them safer and healthier in the long-term.
• Use one-half teaspoon of sunscreen for the head and neck or one ounce for the entire body.
• In general, sunscreen application should be every two hours.

As the body’s largest organ, the skin is constantly exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light, which can increase the risk of cancer.

Skin cancer, the most prevalent type of all cancers, develops when abnormal skin cells begin to grow and spread uncontrollably.

During warm-weather months, people tend to spend more time outside, thereby increasing their exposure to UV light from the sun.

In this blog, we’re going to talk about the importance of using sunscreen to protect your skin.

What is SPF?

SPF stands for sun protection factor, and it’s a measure of how good a sunscreen is. It is calculated by dividing the amount of ultraviolet B, or UVB, energy it takes to cause a sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin, divided by the amount of UVB energy it takes to cause a sunburn on bare skin.

Am I safer with SPF 100 instead of a lower SPF?

Technically, yes, you are safer with an SPF 100 than with a lower SPF.

However, for any SPF that is above 50, it is very difficult to distinguish the benefits from a practical perspective for an average person who is out in the sun, at the beach, playing sports, walking from the car to the store, or just doing their daily activities.

You also have to take into consideration that the SPF number does not encompass the water resistance of the sunscreen.

If, for instance, you are exposed to a lot of water, like in your pool or when you’re sweating profusely, then you’d want to use a water-resistant sunscreen that may have a lower SPF, but that will stick to your skin better and for a longer period of time than a higher SPF sunscreen that is easily washed off.

What are the most important factors to consider when choosing sunscreen?

Personally, I would focus on sunscreens that are water resistant and sunscreens that have properties that make them safer and healthier in the long-term.

I recommend sunscreens that are mineral-only or chemical-free because these have minerals in them that physically reflect the sunlight. Contrast these to chemical sunscreens, where there’s a chemical within the sunscreen that breaks down in the presence of the sunlight and absorbs energy in that way.

While the reflective minerals in mineral-only sunscreens tend to be relatively inert, the photo-reactive chemicals in chemical sunscreens tend to have more interactions with the proteins present in the cells of the body and potentially impact them in a negative manner.

Mineral sunscreens have a much longer safety record. In fact, one of the ingredients in mineral-only sunscreens, namely zinc oxide, has been used for millennia to protect skin and prevent sunburn.

Among mineral-only sunscreens, I would choose those that contain only zinc-oxide because of its well-known safety profile. The other ingredient found in some formulations of mineral-only sunscreens, titanium dioxide, has a more checkered safety record, being banned from use in foods in places like the European Union, so I personally stay away from sunscreens containing titanium dioxide.

How much sunscreen should I use?

To protect your body from sun exposure, you should use one-half teaspoon of sunscreen for the head and neck or one ounce for the entire body. That’s approximately a shot glass full of sunscreen for the entire body.

How often should I reapply?

If you’re going to be out at the pool or sweating profusely, it’s good to reapply sunscreen every two hours or perhaps even more frequently if you notice that you’re getting red, starting to feel a tingling sensation, or experience any other sunburn symptom.

In general, sunscreen application should be every two hours when a person is in direct sunlight, but it could be more often if there is water exposure or if the product label specifies a more frequent application.

Are spray-on sunscreens as effective as cream-based sunscreens?

Spray-on sunscreens are as effective as cream-based sunscreens for the purpose of sun protection. If spray-on sunscreens are all you have, then use them.

If I have a choice, however, I always go for the cream-based versions because you have better control of where they land and how thick the layer is. You also want to avoid inhaling the aerosols because of potential negative consequences if those substances land in your lungs.

The best sunscreen is the one you’re going to use.

If sunscreen is inconvenient to apply, too chalky, too greasy, or runs into and stings your eyes, then you might be afraid to use it, and it’s not going to do you any good if it remains in the container.

Choose a sunscreen that is convenient and that you will be able to apply frequently whenever you’re out in the sun because it’s going to go a long way toward preventing skin cancers.

For those who wear makeup, should I be using products that contain SPF?

I highly encourage anybody who uses makeup to look for makeup that has an SPF rating of 30 or higher to provide sun protection and reduce long-term consequences of sun damage such as wrinkles, skin discoloration conditions like melasma, and of course, skin cancers.

Do mild sunburns matter in the long run?

Even the smallest amount of sun exposure accumulates and adds up over the course of a person’s lifetime. As a person ages, their immune system is not going to be as good at preventing sun-induced pre-cancers from transitioning to full-fledged skin cancers.

Think about your older self when deciding how you’re going to spend time outdoors and how you’re going to protect your skin.

What else can I do to protect my skin?

In addition to using sunscreen, you can wear long sleeves, long pants, wide-brim hats, and wrap-around sunglasses. Your older self will be thankful.

Stay protected. Don’t allow even the smallest amount of sunburn because it will accumulate and potentially contribute to the development of skin cancer later.

Skin cancer prevention year round

Annual full-body skin checks with your primary care provider or dermatologist are a great way to prevent and diagnose skin cancers early, when they’re at their most treatable stages.

The WVU Cancer Institute specializes in evaluating and treating pre-cancerous, cancerous, and benign skin growths and conditions.

Our team brings together board-certified dermatologists, surgeons, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, highly trained nurses, and pathologists — all with skin cancer expertise. We work to make sure your treatment is customized to your specific type of cancer and your needs.

For more information, visit WVUMedicine.org/Cancer.