Use sunscreen.
With labels stating "sunscreen" or "sunblock," these lotions, creams, ointments, gels, or wax sticks, when applied to the skin, absorb, reflect or scatter some or all of the sun's rays.Some sunscreen products, labeled "broad-spectrum," protect against two types of radiation: UVA and UVB. Scientists now believe that both UVA and UVB can damage the skin and lead to skin cancer.
Other products protect only against UVB, previously thought to be the only damaging type.
Some cosmetics, such as some lipsticks, also are considered sunscreen products if they contain sunscreen and their labels state they do.
Sunblock products block a large percentage of UV radiation.
FDA requires the labels of all sunscreen and sunblock products to state the product's sun protection factor, or "SPF," from 2 on up. The higher the number, the longer a person can stay in the sun before burning. In a 1993 tentative final monograph, FDA suggested 30 as the upper SPF limit because it was felt that anything above this offers little additional benefit and might expose people to dangerous levels of chemicals.
FDA also advised manufacturers that "water-resistant" or "sweat-resistant" products must list an SPF for both before and after being exposed to water or sweat. FDA also proposed that products claiming to be sunblocks have an SPF of at least 12 and contain titanium dioxide, the only opaque agent that blocks light. Also, any tanning product that doesn't contain a sunscreen would have to state on the label that the product does not contain a sunscreen, according to the tentative final monograph.
Manufacturers may already be following these recommendations.
Experts recommend broad-spectrum products with SPFs of at least 15. They also suggest applying the product liberally--about 30 milliliters (1 ounce) per application for the average-size person, according to The Skin Cancer Foundation--15 to 30 minutes every time before going outdoors. It should be applied evenly on all exposed skin, including lips, nose, ears, neck, scalp (if hair is thinning), hands, feet, and eyelids, although care should be taken not to get it in the eyes because it can irritate them. If contact occurs, rinse eyes thoroughly with water.
Sunscreens should not be used on babies younger than 6 months because their bodies may not be developed enough to handle sunscreen chemicals. Instead, use hats, clothing and shading to protect small babies from the sun. If you think your baby may need a sunscreen, check with your pediatrician.
For children 6 months to 2 years, use a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 4, although 15 or higher is best.
Use sunscreen products regularly on children, advises Stephen Katz, M.D., Ph.D., director of the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases and chief of the National Cancer Institute's dermatology branch. "Get them used to it, so they can use it regularly like toothpaste," Katz says.
Wear a hat.
A hat with at least a 3-inch brim all around is ideal because it can protect areas often exposed to the sun, such as the neck, ears, eyes, and scalp. A shade cap (which looks like a baseball cap with about 7 inches of material draping down the sides and back) also is good. These are often sold in sports and outdoor clothing and supply stores.A baseball cap or visor provides only limited protection but is better than nothing.
Wear sunglasses.
Sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage.The ideal sunglasses don't have to be expensive, but they should block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB radiation. Check the label to see that they do. If there's no label, don't buy the glasses. And, don't go by how dark the glasses are because UV protection comes from an invisible chemical applied to the lenses, not from the color or darkness of the lenses.
Large-framed wraparound sunglasses are best because they can protect your eyes from all angles.
Children should wear sunglasses, too, starting as young as 1, advises Gerhard Cibis, a pediatric ophthalmologist in Kansas City, Mo. They need smaller versions of real, protective adult sunglasses--not toy sunglasses. Kids' sunglasses are available at many optical stores, Cibis says.
Ideally, says the American Academy of Ophthalmology, all types of eyewear, including prescription glasses, contact lenses, and intraocular lens implants used in cataract surgery, should absorb the entire UV spectrum.
You may want to put sunscreen on the eyelids and around the eyes, too, even if you're wearing sunglasses. According to Cibis, sunglasses prevent UV rays from getting into the eyes; they won't help protect the skin around them.
