Look, we’re not here to nag. We all know we’re supposed to use sunscreen more reliably than we probably do.
Instead of hounding you again, we asked experts for tips on skin cancer prevention and using sunscreen that you’re less likely to have heard: the counterintuitive, the new or the little-known.
Here’s what they told us. (We know this is a little “Eat your vegetables” of us, so we’ll give you a reward if you make it to the end.)
The Basics
Hopefully, you’ve heard these before, but let’s reapply.
Depending on your body size, experts recommend using enough lotion to fill a shot glass, or an ounce, when you’re at the beach. Even if people are smart enough to apply sunscreen, they may not use enough, said Dr. Jerry Brewer, a dermatologic surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
Even if the bottle says the lotion is waterproof, beachgoers should reapply after swimming.
If you’re not swimming, you should reapply every two hours, regardless of the SPF count.
You should put sunscreen on 15 minutes before exposure.
Look for products that are labeled “broad spectrum protection” with an SPF of 15 to 50.
Spots You’re Likely to Forget
Dr. Elizabeth Hale, a senior vice president for the Skin Cancer Foundation and a dermatologist in New York City, said that both men and women are likely to miss the tops of their ears and the tops of the feet. (Full disclosure: The nonprofit Skin Cancer Foundation receives some funding from sunscreen manufacturers.)
Men are particularly likely to miss their scalps and the backs of their necks, while women are more likely to miss their chest and neck areas, she said.
READ THE ENTIRE NEW YORK TIMES ARTICLE HERE.