Sunscreen Myths: For Your Safety!

April 2, 2012 Beauty

Spring is here and summer is just around the corner! That means warm days, clear blue skies, and bright sunshine. Hiking, biking, barbecues, and walks in the park—is there a better time to get outside and shed the last of winter’s chill? If you’re going to be outside taking advantage of the great weather, the number one thing to remember (besides bringing water, of course) is to apply sunscreen.

Still Not Wearing It: Sunscreen Us in the U.S.A.

Unfortunately, there are some startling statistics about sunscreen use: a 2009 survey of 1,000 adults found that 69% of Americans only use sunscreen occasionally, and almost 1/3 don’t use it at all! With one person dying from melanoma every hour and 3.5 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the U.S. alone each year, that’s not a trend to continue.

The Biggest Sunscreen Myths

To get the most out of your sunscreen, you have to wear it correctly, but first you have to get past a few sunscreen myths.

Sunscreen Myth #1 — The higher the SPF, the more protection you get

This myth is somewhat true, but only to a point. SPF 30 will give you twice the protection of SPF 15. However, there is little to no benefit of the higher SPFs once you get past 50. SPF 30 already blocks 97% of UVB rays, and there is insufficient evidence to prove that anything higher gives more protection. Higher SPFs can also give you a false sense of security, causing you to apply less often which leads the potential for more skin damage.

Sunscreen Myth #2 — You can “layer” sunscreen to get a higher SPF

Let’s say your foundation has SPF 25, and your lotion has SPF 15. Does that mean you get the coverage of SPF 35? Nope! The SPF is based on the highest SPF you’ve put on—in this case, SPF 25.

Sunscreen Myth #3 — Applying sunscreen once a day is enough

Not at all true! Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours no matter the SPF, especially if you are outside and especially if you are swimming or sweating. It might seem like it’s too often, but no one has invented a sunscreen yet that lasts all day.

When applying sunscreen don’t scrimp! Dermatologists say that you need about a teaspoon-sized amount for your face and a shot glass-sized amount for your body.

Sunscreen Myth #4 — You don’t have to worry about sunscreen if it’s cloudy

Definitely not true. Up to 80% of the sun’s damaging light can pass through clouds. 25% of the light is reflected by sand, and 80% is reflected by snow. So even though you may not feel the sun, even if you’re freezing, sunscreen is still an absolute must.

Some more points to remember:

  • Sunscreen loses its effectiveness pretty quickly. Replace last year’s sunscreen every summer.
  • Water-resistant sunscreens still need to be reapplied every two hours. No sunscreen is entirely water- and sweat-proof.
  • Sunscreen alone can’t entirely protect you from skin cancer. Wear a hat and protective clothing if you’re going to be outside for a long period of time, and try to avoid mid-day sun no matter what you’re doing.
  • Apply sunscreen to dry skin 30 minutes before you go outside. Remember to be generous, and don’t forget your lips, ears, hairline, and the part of your hair.

At Salon Helena, we offer Easing Protection SPF 28 by Rhonda Allison. This full-spectrum sunscreen is for all skin types. It uses Zinc Oxide to block the sun’s harmful rays, but also guards against damage from pollution by providing antimicrobial and antioxidant support for your skin.

And if you still want that healthy summer tan, Salon Helena uses only the best in spray tan technology with Infinity® Spray Tan, which uses all-natural botanically-derived solutions.

**SPECIAL FOR APRIL** Buy ten sprays for summer, and receive a HUGE discount! Call Salon Helena at 505-884-4955 for pricing today!

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