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Let’s talk about another pseudoscience myth. Given a choice between vague, unsubstantiated conspiracy theories about how sunscreen can cause bad breath or florescent urine or the sun-induced skin damage and cancer, use the sunscreen or stay out of the sun; especially with your kids.
I remember too many summers with family and friends lobsterized by the sun. My poor bald-headed dad refused to wear hats and rarely used sunscreen. His peeling noggin was a real attractive look for him. Sunburn is not something to take lightly. Research suggests that even a few episodes of sunburn can significantly increase the risk of developing skin cancer. Besides covering up or avoiding the sun completely, applying sunscreen is the best way to prevent sunburn and the cellular damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays. While you may know how important it is to put on sunscreen before going out in the summer sun, there are some spots you’re likely missing.
It can be easy to miss a spot, whether you forget or can’t reach. However, it’s important to make sure you apply sunscreen to every spot of skin exposed to the sun no matter how small or out-of-reach it may seem.
Ears
You may not think of your ears when applying sunscreen, but it’s one of the most commonly missed spots when it comes to application and also happens to be a spot where we see a lot of instances of skin cancer.
Lips
Your lips are prone to developing skin cancer. The lower lip is about 12 times more likely to be impacted by skin cancer due to its greater exposure to the sun.
Protect your lips with a SPF-containing lip balm and make sure to reapply it frequently.
Eyelids
When it comes to eyelids, people often don’t apply sunscreen because they don’t want it to get in their eyes. A good way to protect your peepers is by wearing sunglasses.
You can protect much of your face with a facial moisturizer with a sun protection factor. The skin on eyelids tend to absorb moisturizer better than sunscreen. Just remember you still need to reapply the moisturizer to continue to keep your skin protected.
You can try a sunscreen stick on your eyelids – they tend to have a waxy texture that won’t drip into your eyes. A sunscreen stick can also be used to protect your lips.
Hands and feet
When you’re holding a glob of sunscreen in your hands, you likely wash them once you’re done applying everywhere else, leaving the top of your hands unprotected from the sun, particularly the top of your hands where sun damage is common. If you don’t like the feeling of sunscreen on your hands, try a moisturizer with SPF – some companies even make special SPF moisturizers just for hands.
In flip flop and sandal season, people often forget the top of their feet are exposed to the sun when they’re applying sunscreen.
The top of your feet directly face the sun when you’re wearing sandals, making them vulnerable to the sun’s UV rays. Make sure you apply sunscreen to your feet, including under the straps of your sandals in case the straps shift or you take them off.
Scalp
Although your hair typically acts as a natural barrier between your scalp and the sun, if you have a part in your hair the skin on your head isn’t fully protected. If you have very light colored or fine hair, it won’t provide much sun protection for your scalp. If you’re bald, your head directly faces the sun.
The best ways to protect your scalp is to apply sunscreen to your part or wear a hat.
Spray sunscreens are notorious for leaving people with stripes of sunburn since you can’t always see where it’s landing on your skin. You’ll get better coverage if you rub it in after spraying.
Even if you remember to apply sunscreen to every inch of your sun-exposed skin, you could still be at risk of a burn. People apply sunscreen after getting dressed or putting on a bathing suit and forget straps can move. Make sure you’re applying sunscreen under straps or before you get dressed.
It’s great to enjoy the beach, mountain streams and so many other summer playgrounds, but be smart and treat your skin gently.
