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The Kitchen Table

Applying sunscreen

15 years ago

Susan asked about which brands of sunscreen we used. Good Morning America just ran a segment about choosing a product and the 5 places we forget when applying.

1. Use at least a 30 because we tend to put on so little we're only getting a coverage of 15.

2. Use a product that says 'Broad Spectrum'

3. Use one that states it's Photostabilized.

Places we frequently miss when applying:

1. Scalp or the part line in hair.

2. Sides of face - their hint - instead of spreading it in your hands before applying to the face, place dots of sunscreen on your forehead, nose, chin, both cheeks and then spread for fuller coverage.

3. The back of the neck and ears.

4. The front of the neck and top of chest. The neck burns easily which damages the skin and gives an aged look.

5. The feet.

OK - that's the health tip for today. I need to replace my sunscreen now.

Enjoy your summer.

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Comments (4)

lyndy_pa
15 years ago
My dermotologist told me that 15 is good as long as you keep applying it every so often. She said the 30 lasts longer. I do use 30 though and don't have to apply as many times then. Last Sunday, I was floating in my son's pool and did not use any, I got a little burnt. I should have put it on. My Dr. would really be mad, I guess I won't be able to go to see her for awhile.
mcmann
Original Author
15 years ago
The dermatologist on TV this morning said the same thing - 15 is fine - but we need to apply more and re-apply every 2 hours. My daughter told me we should use a shotglass full of sunscreen. I know I don't do that. They also recommended a clear film that can be applied to the windows of cars which blocks the rays and can be pulled off if you don't want it any longer.
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Yes, Theresa, I have a scar about 3 inches long on my calf for the same reason. Also had a spot removed from my arm and three others on my legs. Unfortunately my skin damage happened as a child so I cannot prevent it. BUT I always wear a hat, long sleeves, and sun screen to prevent more.
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I really wouldn't do this. The important thing is to keep tanning down to a bare minimum. To let your skin burn is just crazy! You'll end up with skin cancers and unnecessary wrinkles. You'll look older than others of the same age because of this. So train yourself to start early and come in by 9:30 a.m. Go back out at 7 p.m. or so. I'm not kidding. Train yourself to use hats and high-spf (45 or higher) products with both UVA and UVB protection. Neutrogena has some very good products. I have one with skin lotion in it and one is a spray-on product. Take it from someone who has had 3 cancerous lesions removed from my face so far. Two of those were MOS surgeries, very time-consuming, often requiring the patient be there most of the day or two days in a row, not counting follow-up visits and walking around with bandages for a while. Just saying...that stuff won't do a darn thing to prevent severe damage to the skin and eventual skin cancers and wrinkles.
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I'm from a neighboring state of yours and go on vacation to a warm spot yearly. I don't tan in the summer and when I'm outdoors I always use sunscreen. I'm pretty fair skinned. With that being said, I did not tan ahead of time once and regretted it. This year I bought 100 minutes for both my daugther and myself. We started out at 5 minutes and used the bed that was the weakest in intensity. I went about 10 times and my daughter about 8 and neither of us went over 7 minutes in the bed. Our skin had just enough that we did not burn at all when we were there. My DH, on the other hand, was quite red. The sun there is much hotter than Minnesota in the summer. When we go, we use 3 bottles of sun screen for the week at 30 and 45. Even with this on, I will burn if I do not have a slight base tan. I'd listen to the friends and get a base going now.
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Comments (14)
I had a similar situation with my SD a while back. SD had plans to stay the night w/ a friend and was telling me all the things they had planned to do. All went well until she said they were going to be dropped off at the mall (this was at 9 yrs old) ....I nipped it in the bud though when the friends mom called to make the arrangements.I just nicely told the mom that we don't let SD go anywhere without an adult present and that I thought it was great if they wanted to go have fun at the mall but SD couldn't go unless there was an adult..the friends mom said she understood and she went with the girls to the mall. My advice would be to wait until the parents call and ask your daughter to have a sleep over or to go somewhere and tell them that you heard that last time the girls were together they went to the pool alone and that is against your family rules and that you just want to be certain that the girls will have an adult with them at all times. More than likely the parents will oblige you. And if not...that would set off alarms with me.... BTW I was voted the uncoolest mom by my SD for stopping her independent trip to the mall... but you know what? Id rather be the most uncool mom than to see my little girl's face on the back of a milk carton!
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lydia1959
15 years ago
Before you slather on the sunscreen try to get a few minutes of sun first. We need Vitamin D from the sun and most people are deficient. Vitamin D deficiencies are linked to some cancers. In fact, Melanoma cancers have risen since sunscreens were introduced (researchers still do not know why this has happened). I have been a sun-avoider and my vitamin D levels were very low and I am now on large doses of oral Vit. D. It is a good idea for everyone who doesn't get much sun to have their Vit. D checked (simple blood test).

Not trying to start a debate. You can find lots more by doing a Google search.

Here is a link that might be useful: Too much sunscreen?
Toni S
15 years ago
We use Neutogena Ultra sheer Dry touch sun block SPF 70 or 85 most of the time. Two of my kids have very fair skin and they don't always remember to apply sunblock every couple of hours. We have become pro at applying sunblock to every part of the face and neck though.
DS is leaving for 8 days to Biloxi, MS. on a mission trip to help rebuild homes destroyed by Katrina. I told him the sun down there cold be the end of the trip for him if he doesn't use his sunblock. I'm sending big bottles, travel size bottles and crossing my fingers he uses them. When I was young we had about two choices for sunblock and my mom used them on us way back then.

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