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UV Awareness Month: The Ultimate Guide to All Things SPF

UV Awareness Month: The Ultimate Guide to All Things SPF

UV Awareness Month: The Ultimate Guide to All Things SPF

Summer is just around the corner, bringing with it the joys of pool days, boat rides, and beach lounging. While soaking up the sunshine can be delightful, it’s crucial to protect your skin from the sun’s damaging UV rays.

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

There are countless sunscreen options available, but at The Dermatology Clinic, we only recommend products we’ve thoroughly tested. This guide highlights our top picks, from daily facial sunscreens to those perfect for babies and even scalp protection. Explore the links to our favorites below and find the ideal SPF for your skin.

What Makes a “Good” Sunscreen?

All the sunscreens we recommend offer a minimum of SPF 30 and broad-spectrum coverage to protect against both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays. However, applying and reapplying sunscreen correctly is key to avoiding sunburn. Cover your face and body with about two tablespoons, or one shot glass, of sunscreen. Use a nickel-sized amount just for your face. Reapply every two hours for optimal protection.

The Great Debate: Mineral vs Chemical Sunscreen?

The diplomatic answer is that the best sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear. And that’s true. Any sunscreen is better than no sunscreen. 

Our team of board-certified dermatologists often recommend combination sunscreens. This combination ensures effective broad-spectrum protection while reducing the white cast associated with mineral sunscreens alone.

Our dermatologists feel that mineral and chemical sunscreens are safe and effective options. The key difference lies in how they work: mineral sunscreens sit on top of the skin and physically block UV rays, while chemical sunscreens absorb UV radiation and convert it into heat, which is then released from the skin.

Whether you choose mineral, chemical, or combination sunscreen, the most important thing is consistent use. Both types offer excellent protection, so select the one that best suits your skin and lifestyle.

Shop the Best Sunscreens

Why You Should Wear Sunscreen

As summer begins, it’s also UV Awareness Month. Here are a few compelling reasons to prioritize sunscreen:

  • Skin cancer accounts for more than 50% of all cancers combined.
  • Three people die of skin cancer every hour.
  • Having five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma.
  • Even one indoor tanning session can increase the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by 67%. More people develop skin cancer from tanning beds than develop lung cancer from smoking.
  • Indoor tanning before age 35 can increase your risk of melanoma by 59%.

Wear your sunscreen, and don’t forget to schedule your annual skin check with a dermatologist!

Stay safe and enjoy your summer!