June Is Sun Safety Awareness Month
Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher.
Sun safe behavior can minimize the risk of developing skin cancer. For more information on skin cancer, click the links below
We are once again open for in-office visits
All of us here at Dermatology of North Asheville remain fully committed to minimizing the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronoavirus strain that causes COVID-19. This includes protecting both our patients and our staff members. However, we are also committed to continuing to provide the absolute best care for our patients.
As government officials at the state, city, and county levels relax restrictions on activities, we have returned to a primarily in-office model of care. Our protocols have changed significantly in order to protect our valued patients and staff. Patients are asked to call the front desk to check in, rather than congregating in the waiting rooms. Patients are also asked to bring a mask if they have one; otherwise one will be provided for the visit. When it is time for their appointment, patients are ushered into the clinic room by a medical assistant. At the end of the visit, patients are walked out by the same assistant, who also schedules any follow up visits. Insurance and payment info is collected over the phone, allowing patients to bypass the front desk completely. The only thing the patient has to touch is the exam chair! These protocols allow for a safe, measured resumption of routine visits, full body skin checks, surgeries, and even cosmetic visits.
For patients who are uncomfortable coming into the clinic, we continue to offer telemedicine / online visits with video. Let us know how we can best meet your dermatology needs!
June is sun safety awareness month
Now that summer is approaching and stay-at-home restrictions in North Carolina are beginning to ease slightly, many of us are taking more advantage of the myriad outdoor opportunities here in beautiful Western North Carolina. With that comes increased exposure to the sun, which makes June a great time to revisit sun safety awareness. Remember, increased ultraviolet light (UV) exposure not only increases your risk of developing skin cancer, but also accelerates the photoaging process - making you look old before your time! In this post, I’ll talk about what to look for when choosing a sunscreen, the differences between chemical and physical sunscreens, common mistakes made in sunscreen use, and how to keep babies safe outdoors.
First and foremost, sun safety starts with minimizing your UV exposure. Avoid direct sun exposure during midday when the UV index is highest, and wear sun protective clothing. Of course, sunscreen plays an important role as well.
Choosing a sunscreen
When selecting a sunscreen, there are a few key features to look for.
Broad spectrum. This means a sunscreen blocks both types of UV light that reach the Earth’s surface: UVA and UVB. Much more UVA reaches us, but UVB is more dangerous, so it’s important to pick a sunscreen that blocks both.
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor. This is a relative measure of how well a sunscreen protects you from the sun. Always choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. In general, higher is better. However, sunscreen wears off and is washed off by water or sweat, so there is a point of diminishing returns. Although SPF 50 is twice as protective as SPF 100 in a laboratory setting, practically speaking there’s not as much difference in real world application. The risk in using a sunscreen with a very high SPF is that sometimes people think they don’t need to reapply, which leads us to …
Water resistant/sweat resistant. Sunscreens labeled “Water resistant” provide protection for up to 40 minutes of water or heavy sweat exposure, while “Very water resistant” sunscreens provide up to 80 minutes of protection in the same circumstances. But even water resistant sunscreens need to be reapplied every few hours.
Patients often ask me for specific brand recommendations. While I jokingly reply that any brand you’re willing to use is great, as long as it meets the three criteria above, there are a few brands I really like. EltaMD is a very cosmetically elegant sunscreen, and is my personal favorite. It’s available from authorized physician retailers like Dermatology of North Asheville. Other excellent options include La Roche-Posay, Neutrogena and Blue Lizard.
Physical vs. chemical sunscreens
The main difference between chemical and physical blocker sunscreens is the method by which UV light is kept from reaching the skin.
Physical blocker sunscreens typically contain either zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sit on the surface of the skin and reflect or deflect the UV light. Studies show that some of it is also absorbed as discussed below with chemical blockers. Products containing physical blockers work well, but may be more likely to stain clothing or leave a whitish film on skin and body hair when used in sufficient quantity to be effective.
Chemical blockers work by absorbing the energy of the UV light, releasing it as lower energy, safe wavelengths. There are multiple different molecules used by different manufacturers. Some absorb UVA, and others absorb UVB. Sunscreens contain combinations of these molecules to achieve broad spectrum protection, as discussed above. Recently, articles have been published in the scientific and general press about detection of sunscreen molecules in the bloodstream after use. What has not been demonstrated, however, is any risk to the health of the patient from absorbing small amounts of these molecules. Conversely, we know that UV exposure is a direct risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma, which can be deadly. This is why I still recommend and personally use both physical and chemical blockers.
Common mistakes made in sunscreen use - and how to avoid them
Relying only on sunscreen. Remember, sunscreen should be your last line of defense. Sun avoidant behavior and UV protective clothing come first!
Using expired sunscreen. Check the date on your bottle of sunscreen. If it’s been sitting in your medicine cabinet, car or boat for years, it may well be expired. If so, throw it out and replace it.
Using too little. Studies show that most people apply only 20 - 25% of the recommended amount of sunscreen. To cover the whole body, most adults need about one ounce of sunscreen, or enough to fill a shot glass. Remember to apply to all skin that isn’t covered by sun protective clothing.
Ignoring the label. Remember to look for SPF 30 (or higher), broad spectrum, and water resistant sunscreen as discussed above.
Applying only in sunny weather or on hot days. Even on cloudy days, up to 80% of UV light penetrates the atmosphere. Think about it this way: plenty of visible light makes it through the clouds cover - UV light does, too! If you’re using Blue Lizard sunscreen, take the bottle outside on a cloudy day. You might be surprised to find the UV indicator top turns color immediately, just as on a sunny day.
Keeping babies safe outdoors
Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the world, and UV exposure at all stages of life is a risk factor in its development. In fact, bad, blistering sunburns in childhood and adolescence are a big risk factor for melanoma development, so early sun protection is critical.
To keep your child safe outdoors, consider the following tips:
Keep your baby in the shade. Shade is the best way to shield your baby from the sun, especially when they are younger than six months old. This means taking advantage of naturally occurring shade, as well as shade provided by an umbrella or a sun shade on a stroller
Dress your baby in sun-protective clothing, including lightweight, long sleeved shirt and pants. Wide brimmed hats and UV-protective sunglasses complete the outfit, and the protection.
Minimize sunscreen use on children under six months old using the above methods. However, when adequate shade is not available, use broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher, just as you would for yourself. Physical blocker sunscreens are less likely to irritate babies’ sensitive skin. And remember to reapply, especially after swimming!
For more information on sun safety, either call 828-253-2533 to schedule an appointment with us, or visit the American Academy of Dermatology public education website.
