Posted 7 months ago
How to Protect Your Skin from the Sun
Ann Sherman has been a supporter of Ironwood for many years and even volunteered in our east valley clinics to support patients on their cancer journey. Ann owns a spa in Chandler and is certified to support oncology patients. We reached out to her to get some tips and advice on how to protect your skin this summer.
Shade
You can reduce your risk of sun damage and skin cancer by staying in the shade under an umbrella, tree, or other shelter. Your best bet to protect your skin is to use sunscreen or wear protective clothing when you’re outside—even when you’re in the shade.
Clothing
When possible, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants and skirts, which can provide protection from UV rays. If wearing this type of clothing isn’t practical, try to wear a T-shirt or a beach cover-up. Clothes made from tightly woven fabric offer the best protection. A wet T-shirt offers much less UV protection than a dry one, and darker colors may offer more protection than lighter colors. Some clothing is certified under international standards as offering UV protection.
Hat
For the most protection, wear a hat that has a brim all the way around that shades your face, ears, and the back of your neck. A tightly woven fabric, such as canvas, works best to protect your skin from UV rays. Avoid straw hats with holes that let sunlight through. A darker hat may offer more UV protection.
If you wear a baseball cap, you should also protect your ears and the back of your neck by wearing clothing that covers those areas, using sunscreen, or staying in the shade.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses protect your eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts. They also protect the tender skin around your eyes from sun exposure.
Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection. Most sunglasses sold in the United States, regardless of cost, meet this standard. Wrap-around sunglasses work best because they block UV rays from sneaking in from the side.
Sunscreen
Put on a broad-spectrum sunscreen that filters out both UVA and UVB rays and has an SPF of 15 or higher before you go outside. Don’t forget to put a thick layer on all exposed skin. Get help for hard-to-reach places like your back. And remember, sunscreen works best when combined with other options.
– SPF: Sunscreens are assigned a sun protection factor (SPF), which is a number that rates how well they filter out UV rays. Higher numbers indicate more protection. You should use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher.
– Reapplication: Sunscreen wears off. Put it on again if you stay out in the sun for more than 2 hours and after swimming, sweating, or toweling off.
– Expiration date: Check the sunscreen’s expiration date. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of no more than 3 years. Its shelf life is shorter if it has been exposed to high temperatures.
– Sunscreen is not recommended for babies who are 6 months old or younger. The US Food and Drug Administration recommends keeping infants out of the sun during midday and using protective clothing if they must be in the sun.
About Ann Sherman, MBA, LE, CMLT, LSO
Ann is a licensed Medical Aesthetician and Certified Cosmetic Laser Technician, bringing 20 years of experience working in the medical field. After graduating from the Southwest Institute of Natural Aesthetics, she completed continuing education courses in advanced medical skincare, chemical peels, dermaplaning, specialized facials, and product knowledge. She then took her skincare knowledge to the next level by achieving certification through Oncology Aesthetics International.
Ann Sherman
Mindful Skin Spa
2600 E Springfield Place
Chandler, AZ 85286 (Pecos and Gilbert Rd.)
https://mindfulskinspa.com/about.htm