Tips for sensible sun exposure

By Times staff
© St. Petersburg Times
published September 10, 2002

• Wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every day, even cloudy ones. Dermatologists guess that as much as 80 percent of exposure is incidental, occurring when you do things like walk your dog or eat lunch outdoors.
• People who burn easily, are fair-skinned, have many freckles, have green or blue eyes and/or have blond or red hair are more vulnerable.
• Select a moisturizer or other skin products with sunscreen built in.
• Use only a broad-spectrum sunscreen to block UVA and UVB rays.
• Choose a sunscreen that is hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic so it won't clog pores or irritate the skin.
• If outdoors for an extended period, say swimming or biking, reapply sunscreen every two to three hours. Waterproof sunscreen is advised if you're getting wet or sweating heavily.
• Avoid exposure to the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Wear a hat with a brim and quality sunglasses.
• Be aware that certain medications, such as those used to treat acne or many antibiotics, can increase sensitivity to the sun.

-- Sources: Skin Cancer Foundation, American Academy of Dermatology.

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