Sun Wars – Navigating the Sunscreen Saga

You want that healthy glow that goes so well with summer short sleeves and shorts – right?  But, with everything from tanning beds to not wearing sunscreen to EVEN wearing sunscreen being under attack, it’s hard to figure out what’s the best method to lose the winter whites and enjoy the summer lights.  So, the question becomes: what’s a sun lover to do?!

Well, first of all, despite new claims, you should still wear the sunscreen.  For years, it has kept many people from getting burned.  But, it may be worth noting the recommendations.  Take caution when buying anything over 30 SPF: Some say it’s a waste of money. Some studies even suggest that the additional chemicals in the higher SPF’s could actually INCREASE your risk of cancer. 

Always buy sunscreens that have both ultraviolet-B (UVB) and ultraviolet-A radiation (UVA) protection.  While UVA does not cause your skin to burn, it still causes cancer. 

Lather it on – heavy and often.  Even though it says waterproof, most sunscreens wear off after a few hours, especially once it’s wet.  And, skip the sprays.  They don’t give as good coverage as the lotions, and they miss a lot of acreage.

While this all may seem confusing, we can conclusively (I hope!) say that 20 minutes of sun is good for you…with or without sunscreen!  Generally, this timeframe isn’t long enough for you to get burned, but long enough for you to get a wallop of Vitamin D.  And, you need Vitamin D to keep your bones strong and prevent bone diseases like osteoporosis.