Summer means colder drinks, skimpier clothing and longer days spent laying out in the sun. However, if one isn’t cautious, a summer of fun can become a summer of burns.
Dr. Harry Burglass, a dermatologist who practices at the Dermatology Clinic and Cosmetic Center as well as the University Student Health Center, said the most effective sunscreens have a Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, between 30 and 50. Sunscreens with higher SPFs offer a little more protection and should mostly be used on the face if one plans to be out in the sun for an extended period of time. The Food and Drug Administration reports water-resistant sunscreens are only effective for up to 80 minutes, so sunscreen should still be applied regularly.
The FDA recently released new rules for sunscreen packaging banning the word “waterproof,” but swimmers should also beware sunscreens labeled “water resistant,” Burglass said. Water-resistant sunscreens should be reapplied just as often as regular sunscreens.
People underestimate how much sunscreen they need, Burglass said. Everyone should apply a “shot glass full” of sunscreen daily for the entire body.
Burglass said tanning beds are sources of UVA rays, which penetrate the skin deeper, are slower to work and require more upkeep than the UVB rays from the sun.
“Any tan is bad,” Burglass said. “[UVA rays] kind of age your skin more, and who wants that?”
The American Cancer Society estimates more than 3.5 million people in the U.S. are diagnosed with some form of skin cancer every year. Early detection is key to preventing skin cancer from spreading, Burglass said.
Dermatologists use the ABCDEs — asymmetry, border, color, diameter and evolution — to determine if a mole is potentially malignant, Burglass said.
Most benign moles are symmetrical in nature with an even border. If a mole is varied in colors and has a diameter larger than the eraser of a pencil, it can indicate something dangerous. The evolution of a mole is also important to watch, Burglass said. Moles should stay the same until a person reaches a much older age.
It’s important for people to look for moles everywhere, Burglass said. Moles on the scalp are commonly overlooked. Burglass suggested salon customers ask their hairdressers to keep an eye out for moles on the scalp.
Spray tanning is the safest way to get a tan, Burglass said. Not only does it offer a safe alternative, spray tanning offers a protective coating to the skin.
“They’re safe as long as they don’t spray you in the eye,” Burglass said with a laugh. “But they’re usually pretty good about that.”
Self-tanning lotions are also an alternative to tanning beds. The colors are better than when they were first created, Burglass said. Instead of a fake orange color, the color of many tanning lotions is now more natural.
Burglass said there are ways to manage a sunburn if someone gets one.
The first thing to do when sunburned is to stay out of the sun — any more sun will only worsen the burn, Burglass said. Cold baths and over-the-counter drugs like Advil and Benadryl can also help ease the pain.
Don’t believe the old wives’ tale about taking a hot shower to relieve a sunburn, Burglass said. Hot showers will only make the burn hurt more and will not relieve pain from the burn.