Experts: Using sunscreens can cut skin cancer risk in half

Sunscreen isn’t just for pool gatherings and beach trips: Daily use of sunscreen could lower your risk of skin cancer, experts say.

Daily use of at least one SPF 15 sunscreen can reduce your risk of melanoma, the deadliest type of skin cancer, by 50%, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

If you spend most of your day indoors, SPF 15 should provide adequate protection, but if you spend more time outdoors during the hottest part of the day, you should use sunscreen. with a higher SPF and possibly a water and sweat resistant screen as well, according to Hackensack Meridian Health, a New Jersey health care network.

SPF stands for “sun protection factor,” and the number indicates how long it takes for UVB rays from the sun to redden your skin when you wear sunscreen, compared to the time without sunscreen.

This means that if you used an SPF 30 product as directed, it would take you 30 times longer to burn than if you weren’t using any sunscreen.

Your best bet is a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both the skin-burning rays and the rays that cause aging and tanning, the health network advised.

A common problem with sunscreen is that people don’t apply enough. You need to completely cover your body, including your ears, scalp, feet, and neck, and apply plenty of sunscreen even on a cloudy day, as UV rays from the sun can penetrate clouds, Hackensack Meridian Health explained in A press release.

After applying sunscreen, you should still use other types of protection, such as wide-brimmed hats and UV-resistant sunglasses.

As a general rule, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, especially if you’ve been swimming or sweating.

It is also important to check the expiration date of the sunscreen. Most sunscreens are designed to maintain their original level of protection for up to three years. If you have sunscreen that is outdated or more than three years old, throw it out.

Sunscreens that have been exposed to high temperatures or show obvious changes in color or consistency should also be discarded, the group said.