The sun, sunscreens and you

Selecting a sunscreen
The best protection from the sun is to stay out of it. But there are ways to protect yourself when you can't avoid exposure. Sunscreens must be part of your daily regimen. They're available under a bevy of cosmetic labels and offered in the form of lotions, creams, gels, sprays and oils. A good sunscreen absorbs and/or blocks ultraviolet rays; make sure the one you choose is effective against both UVB and UVA. (Look for the ingredients parsol 1789 or zinc oxide.) Scientists used to believe that it was only UVB rays that caused skin cancer, but they now know that UVA rays are, in fact, more dangerous.

When choosing a sunscreen or sunblock you'll notice an SPF (sun protection factor) number. The SPF indicates the amount of exposure your skin can handle from UVB rays before turning red. Dermatologists recommend an SPF of at least 15 for all skin types. To work out how long it will take you to develop a sunburn, multiply the SPF number by 10; for example, someone with medium skin using SPF 15 should be able to stay outside for 150 minutes before burning.

Even with a protective sunscreen, you need to use common sense about how long you stay in the sun. Improved sunscreens have encouraged people to stay out in the sun for greater periods of time, but dermatologists stress that no matter what strength sunscreen you use, you'll still get some exposure. And if the product you've selected has only UVB protection, you're at risk for the most serious kinds of skin damage, including skin cancer. In fact, in recent years there seems to have been an increased incidence of skin cancers; doctors theorize it's because more people are using UVB protection only and remaining in the sun longer.

How to use a sunscreen
For optimal protection, generously apply a generous amount of sunscreen over all parts of your body that will be exposed to the sun - the mistake many people make is not applying enough. Let it absorb for at least 15 minutes before going outdoors. Bear in mind that some people are allergic to certain ingredients found in some sunscreens, so it's a good idea to test the product first on a small portion of your skin. (It's not advisable to test it on your face.)

Although some sunscreens claim to be water-repellent or waterproof, you should still reapply every two hours. If you go into the water or participate in any activity that causes you to sweat excessively, you should reapply sunscreen immediately after drying off. Nowadays, many makeup foundations contain a sunscreen of SPF 15; this can protect you during the day. Lips also need to be protected from the sun; many lip balms have an SPF of 15 or higher.