Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, so it’s important to be educated on its causes and prevention. There are lots of rumors and misleading information out there, so here we debunk a few myths about your skin’s best protection against the sun’s harmful UV rays: sunscreen.
"The higher the SPF, the better the protection."
False. SPF 50 blocks 98 percent of rays, while SPF 100 blocks 99 percent. It’s only a difference of 1%, but it will cost you a significant amount more. Save your money and simply reapply every two hours for premium protection.
"Unlesss it says “broad spectrum,” it doesn’t protect skin from both UVA and UVB rays."
True. While SPF stands for sun protection factor, it’s only a measure of the sunscreen’s level of protection against UVB rays. To make sure your sunscreen is protecting you from UVA rays as well, look for the words “broad spectrum.”
"You can’t get a sunburn when it’s overcast."
False. Up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can pass through clouds, so you still need protection on the cloudiest of days. Snow can also reflect up to 80 percent of UV rays, so it’s important to wear sunscreen even during the winter.
"Sunscreen isn’t necessary because your skin needs Vitamin D."
False. While it’s true that Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, it only takes 15 minutes in the sunlight to reach your daily requirement; after the 15 minutes, Vitamin D production stops. You’re much better off getting it through diet and supplements. Foods like fish, meat, eggs, mushrooms, and dairy products are rich in Vitamin D.
"There’s no such thing as a 'healthy glow.'"
True. Tanned skin is damaged skin, so there is no such thing as a safe tan. Even if you’re one of the lucky four out of five Americans that won’t get skin cancer, tanning leads to wrinkles and premature aging. Have fun looking like a leather handbag when you’re 30.
"Applying sunscreen to your face, arms, and legs is enough."
False. You also need to cover your ears, your scalp, and your lips. These areas are the most important to protect, as they tend to be the most forgotten about and therefore the most susceptible to sun damage.
"It’s safer to skip sunscreen than to be exposed to its chemical ingredients."
False. While there are certain chemicals you should look out for – namely oxybenzone and retinyl palmitate – there are plenty of safe sunscreens that don’t include these toxic chemicals.
