Dr. Oliver on skin cancer awareness and sunscreen

Did you know that May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month?

With sunny days here and summer around the corner, there’s no better time to talk sun safety.

Sun damage can occur in anyone, regardless of age, gender, or race. That’s why it’s important to start early with sun protective measures which includes – you guessed it – regular sunscreen use!

Here are Dr. Oliver’s sunscreen tips:

·         Look for sunscreen that says “broad spectrum” on the label. This means it protects against both UVA and UVB rays. UVA rays can prematurely age the skin and UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn. Too much of either can increase risk of skin cancer.

·         Reach for a sunscreen that is SPF 30 or higher, reapply every 2 hours if exposed to sun for extended periods of time, and make sure you apply enough. For reference, most adults will need 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) to cover the whole body!

·         It’s easy to neglect certain areas – the ears, lips, neck, and tops of your hands and feet need sun protection too!  

Dr. Oliver’s favorite sunscreens:

·         For face: Elta MD UV Clear, MD Essentials Clear Defense, Biossance Squalene + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen, La Roche Posay Anthelios

·         For body: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer, Supergoop Play, Neutrogena Hydroboost

·         For lips: Sun Bum Lip Balm, Coola Liplux, Aquaphor Lip Protectant with SPF