How to Stay Safe in the Sun

When I was growing up, I took great pride in the fact that I could use SPF 2 suntan oil without burning. My fair-skinned sister had to slather on SPF 10, or even higher, and still burned. By summers’ end, I sported a dark tan with very little effort. For my mother’s generation, trading the suntan lotion for baby oil was considered a fine idea.

These days, we know better. We don’t call it “suntan lotion” anymore.  It’s sunscreen. And most adults won’t consider an SPF lower than 15 and SPF 30 for kids. Research shows that getting a “base” tan doesn’t protect you from the harmful rays of the sun—whether tan or burn, a change in skin color means damage from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and this damage accumulates over time. The more times you tan, either in the sun or in a tanning bed, the greater your risk of premature skin aging and skin cancer.

Many Forms of Protection

Of course, the best form of protection is to stay in the shade. But most of us don’t always find ourselves under a tree or under an umbrella. So you should try to steer clear of the time of day when the sun is at its strongest. A good rule of thumb? If your shadow is taller than you are, as in the early morning and late afternoon when the sun is low in the sky, your UV exposure is low; if you have a short shadow, as when the sun is overhead, your UV exposure is high.

Next best? A hat and a shirt. Studies show that the risk of melanoma (skin cancer) is much lower on body parts that are not exposed to the sun. But not all clothing is created equal when it comes to sun protection, measured in UPF (ultraviolet protection factor)—a white cotton t-shirt has a UPF of about 7, and if it gets wet, that drops to about 3. Choose darker colors for better protection—or for even more protection, opt for a thick or synthetic material. A long-sleeved denim shirt offers a UPF of 1,700, which means it’s close to totally blocking the sun. To test how well a fabric will protect your skin, hold it up to the light. If you can see through it, UV radiation can reach your skin.

Special UPF clothing is also available—sometimes it’s treated with a chemical to enhance sun protection, or it has a tighter weave intended to block rays. You can also purchase a laundry additive like SunGuard, which contains UV-absorbing chemicals that increase a regular fabric’s UPF.

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Sunscreen Primer

Even during the safer times of day, it’s a good idea to don sunscreen on exposed body parts—even in winter (as skiing enthusiasts will tell you) you run the risk of sunburn.

One of the biggest myths about sunscreen is that SPF 30 allows you to stay in the sun for double the amount of time of an SPF 15. The reality is that SPF (which stands for Sun Protection Factor) measures both time in the sun and exposure—a person standing in the sun at 9 a.m. will not burn as quickly as a person in the sun at noon, when the sun is at its strongest. An SPF of 15 screens 93% of UVB rays and SPF 30 screens 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 2 screens a mere 50% of UVB rays.

So a higher SPF doesn’t necessarily keep you completely safe in the sun. And studies show that people using a higher SPF sunscreen are often likely to take more chances than those using a lower SPF—they spend more time in direct sun. Those SPF measurements also assume that people use much more sunscreen—and re-apply it much more often—than they actually do.  Sunscreen should be applied 30 minutes before sun exposure, then reapplied every two hours or after swimming or perspiring. And only 25%of people use the right amount—each application should be about an ounce, or enough to fill a shot glass. Pay attention to expiration dates, or discard sunscreen that you’ve had for more than three years.

Choose Your Sunscreen Carefully

Not all sunscreens are created equal. For starters, look for a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. The Environmental Working Group, a nonprofit research organization focused on human health and the environment, recommends only 8% of the more than 500 sunscreens this season. Problems with the sunscreens include the addition of harmful chemicals and inadequate protection.

The organization recommends avoiding sunscreens that contain Vitamin A, found in 41% of sunscreens and listed as “retinyl palmitate” on ingredient labels, as some studies indicate that it may actually speed sun damage. Also avoid the chemical oxybenzone, a synthetic estrogen that penetrates the skin and contaminates the body.

The Environmental Working Group suggests looking for active ingredients zinc, titanium, avobenzone or Mexoryl SX, as they provide maximum sun protection.

I started paying close attention to the ingredients in sunscreen a few years ago, when I got pregnant with my first child. Suddenly, I didn’t want to take chances with my body or my skin anymore. My children both wear long-sleeved rash guards at the beach, and I use an EWG top-rated sunscreen for them and for me.

I stopped tanning well before that, though. In 2000, the year I got married, a saleswoman at my bridal shop opined that brides don’t look good tan—and I realized that I agreed. From that point, I started to notice wrinkles creeping up on the faces of my 30-something peers, and thought if avoiding tanning could curtail that, I’m on board. Besides, I think I look really good in hats.

Yours in health,

Jeanne Coffey
Contributing Editor
New England Health Advisory

P.S. Click here for the Environmental Working Group’s list of recommended sunscreens.

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