If you swim a lot or work outside, there is a huge importance of wearing sunscreen. Skin cancer has been in the news a lot lately and sunscreen is your number one defense against it. Whether you are headed out to work, going on a walk, working outside, or swimming any type of sun exposure should be protected against and your best line of defense is wearing sunscreen. This should occur all year round and even on cloudy days, as the suns rays can still cause damage. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), “Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States but it is also the most preventable because sun exposure is a major factor in its growth. The best line of defense against skin cancer is sunscreen and skin protection.”
What type of sunscreen is the best?
Typically, you will want to make sure you purchase a sunscreen of at least 30. If you sweat a lot or are swimming you will want to make sure you reapply every hour even with water resistant sunscreens. Many reports have shown that their effectiveness goes down after about 40 minutes. You will want to make sure you apply the lotion evenly over the body and face. This can be done with either lotion or spray. Wearing hats and long sleeve shirts that can protect against the sun lights direct rays is also highly recommended.
How to apply sunscreens….
- Shake the bottle or spray so mixture can occur
- Apply evenly over the entire body and face
- Be sure to apply 15 minutes before exposure to the sun or entering the pool so it doesn’t wash off
- Be careful not to apply the spray directly on the face (make sure eyes are shut tight)
- When applying a layer of sun protection to the face try and apply a thin layer and rub it in as sweat will cause runoff into the eyes. This can cause burning and itchiness.
- Reapply regularly throughout the day
Please note, using any type of sunscreen is better than none at all. Your best line of defense will be to use sunscreen and wearing long sleeve shirts or hats to prevent direct exposure. At Clark County Pool & Lawn we stress the importance of wearing sunblock to not only our employees but our customers as well. Depending on where you live, the sun can definitely be stronger in tropical climates and such. Remember, your best line of defense is applying and reapplying sunblock.
For a great list of all sunscreens, Consumer Reports just released their annual list of top sunscreens, with a few important reminders.
Recent Comments