Summer sun: How to protect yourself at the beach?

I love the beach.  Nothing screams summer like days playing in the sand and waves.  But you have to protect yourself.  Intermittent intense sun exposure has been linked to both basal cell and melanoma skin cancers.  A study out of England showed English women who vacationed in hot countries had 74 %  more moles than women who did not.  The more moles, the higher your melanoma risk.

Things you can do?

CLOTHING.  This does not mean you have to wear a mumu.  There are great surf shirts, rashguards, and other clothes which are the equivalent of SPF 50 and look great.  Studies have shown the clothing is the most important protector.  The more skin you cover, the better. 

• Surf shirts.  I got these for my kids (and me). Let’s face it- getting sunscreen on a child 20 minutes before you go outside, on all of their ears and noses and body parts, and reapplying the sunscreen every 45 minutes when they are in the water… You really doing that?  Long sleeve are better than short sleeve.  Make sure they are SPF.  Don’t get hand me downs you can read the newspaper through- old thin material isn’t protecting your skin.  Oh yes, and don’t forget to wear one too.  Your kids will look to you for guidance. 
• Hats. The wider the brim the better, but even a baseball cap at least covers the top of your head and nose.
• Sunglasses protect your eyes. Don’t forget about UV damage to them too!
• Long sleeved shirts and pants protect your arms and legs.  Now I know this one will have few takers, but there are lightweight fabrics which do not make you hot and sweaty which can protect.



Look how cool this guy looks.

Watch out for light reflection. (yes, the sunlight bounces of these things and hits you a second time.)

• Sand reflects 15 %, water up to 10%, and sea foam 25%. 



Time of day.

• 10-4pm is the worst time to be in the sun.  (Hey- go before or after these times and miss the crowds!)



Sunscreen

• SPF 30 or above (really anything above 30 is them concentrating it because we tend to be stingy when we put it on.)
• UVA and UVB
• Put on 20 minutes before going outdoors
• Reapply every 2 hours when in the sun, every 45 minutes if in water
• Throw out old sunscreen over a year old.  (That yellowing old bottle? Not so good anymore)
• If you aren’t wearing a hat, spray the spray sunscreen on your head.  I have taken many skin cancers off people’s scalps.  It is a neglected area.  Best option is to wear a hat.

Watch out for medications which increase sun sensitivity

• NSAID (motrin, ibuprofen, naproxen)
• Retin A
• some Birth control pills
• some Antidepressants
• some Antibiotics