Applying your sunscreen the right way should be a mandatory thing to do, no matter where you live. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to do this properly, and some don’t even use protection against the harmful UV rays of the sun at all. This is a very big mistake that in time can lead to serious skin problems, including cancer. It’s important to note that there are some things that you need to know about sunscreen and how and when you should apply it. This is why, in this article, we will be talking about sunscreen mistakes as pointed out by some of the best specialists out there.
There are some sunscreen mistakes that almost everyone out there is doing or has done at some point in their lives. These mistakes do not need to happen again because, as we’ve previously said, being careless about protecting your skin can lead to severe skin problems and the worst one of them is cancer. So, in this article, you will find some of the most common sunscreen mistakes and how to stop doing them, according to our specialist dermatologists. Here we go!
A high SPF means more time in the sun
Wrong! According to Connecticut dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD, coating yourself in SPF 80 doesn’t mean that you can spend hours and hours out in the sun without a worry. Experts also agree that these high numbers on sunscreen often lead to a false impression among people. Spending more time in the sun, even with high SPF on, can increase the risk of burns and skin damage that you cannot even see. The best thing that you can do is to reapply the sunscreen every two hours, more frequently if you’ve been in and out of the water.
Not using enough sunscreen
Cheryl Gustafson, MD, dermatologist and spokesperson for the Skin Cancer Foundation says that if you are applying enough sunscreen, you should go through two to three bottles of sunscreen every summer. But there are people out there who still have their sunscreen from two years ago. That’s how you figure out that they haven’t been using too much product. It seems that a golf ball-sized squirt is enough for your entire body. It’s worth noting that a SPF 30 acts like an SPF 10 if it’s not applied thoroughly.
You miss your scalp, lips, and ears
Dr. Gustafson says that your arms, legs, chest and back are not the only places where you should apply sunscreen. A large number of people develop skin cancer exactly on the small spots that they are often missing: the ear, lips, scalp, neck, top of the feet and back of the hands. These areas are often exposed to the damaging sun rays. A SPF lip balm is perfect for protecting your lips. You can also use a spray and rub it on your scalp and these other areas.
Wrapping it all up
So, what did you think about our article on the most frequent sunscreen mistakes that people are making? What about our specialist advice? Are you going to follow them from now on? Tell us what you think in the comment section down below!
Image source: maxpixel
Related Article: 3 Ways To Prevent Sunburn and Enjoy the Sun
