When summer hits we find ourselves enjoying the warm weather and sunny days. We put more sunscreen on when the sun is out, however, do you know it is very important to put sunscreen on all year long? Here are some questions you should ask yourself, how many times are you putting sunscreen on everyday? What SPF of sunscreen are you using? How much sunscreen should be used, and how often should it be applied? What type of sunscreen should you use? Does SPF 30 have twice as much sun protection as SPF 15? There are more than 1 million cases of skin cancer diagnosed in the United States every year. This is very important information so please keep reading. 
1. When should sunscreen be used?
Sunscreen should be applied every day to exposed skin, and not just if you are going to be in the sun. It is good to know that UVB rays cannot penetrate glass windows, but UVA rays can, leaving you prone to these damaging effects if your skin is unprotected. When you are indoors, apply sunscreen on the areas not covered by clothing, such as the face and hands. Sunscreens can be applied under makeup, or alternatively, there are many cosmetic products available that contain sunscreens for daily use.
2. How much sunscreen should be used, and how often should it be applied?
Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes BEFORE going outdoors. When using sunscreen, be sure to apply it to all exposed areas and pay particular attention to the face, ears, hands, and arms. Don’t forget that your lips can get sunburned, too, so apply a lip balm that contains sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.
3. How often should sunscreen be applied if you are outside?
Sunscreens should be reapplied approximately every two hours or after swimming or perspiring heavily. Even so-called “water-resistant” sunscreens may lose their effectiveness after 40 minutes in the water. Sunscreens rub off as well as wash off, so if you’ve towel-dried, reapply sunscreen for continued protection.
4. Does SPF 30 have twice as much sun protection as SPF 15?
It is interesting to know that UVB protection does not actually increase proportionately with a designated SPF number. For example, an SPF of 30 screens 97 percent of UVB rays, whereas an SPF of 15 screens 93 percent of UVB rays, and an SPF of 2 screens 50 percent of UVB rays.
5. Is sunscreen all I need to do to protect myself from the sun?
No, it is very important to wear hats and cover your skin when you have extended amounts of exposure. Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer.
Sun protection is the principal means of preventing premature aging and skin cancer. It’s never too late to protect yourself from the sun and minimize your future risk of skin cancer. Enjoy the sun, but always wear sunscreen even when it is cloudy out all year long.
