Hey, Fresh Face Beauties and FlawLESS fans!  I’m Dr. Candrice, your favorite, fun, board-certified dermatologist, dedicated to educating you on all things hair, skin and nails, and I am celebrating summer and sunshine right now.  I hope you are, too!  

In today’s post, I am going to help bring some clarity and dispel some myths about the oh-so-important sunscreen products that we all should have in our bathrooms and in our pool and beach bags.  Sunscreen application can literally save your life, preventing skin cancer, so it’s essential that you have the facts straight.

Let’s take a look at the 5 most common myths surrounding sunscreen:

     Myth #1: The more sunscreen I apply, the more I am protected from the sun.  

Actually, this is not true. In reality, all you need is an amount equal to one full shot glass for your entire body.  Save those dollars, because it’s not necessary to use half a bottle at one time!

     Myth #2:  I only need to reapply it every two hours.  

Well, this is only true, if you’re not playing in the water, or sweating.  I definitely recommend that you reapply your sunscreen after you get out of the water, even if the packaging boasts that it is waterproof!  Don’t forget to cover up those babies, too!  Not only are blistering sunburns horribly uncomfortable, but overexposure before your 18th birthday puts you at a higher risk for skin cancer as an adult.

     Myth #3:  Spray-and-go is an easy way to apply sunscreen.  

Don’t just spray yourself down and jump in the water!  You must rub the sunscreen into your beautiful skin just after you spray yourself down, and it’s best to apply the sunscreen about 20 minutes before you dive into the pool or wander out into the ocean.

     Myth #4:  The higher SPF formula, the better I am protected.

This is probably one of the most common misconceptions about sunscreen.  It is true that a SPF 50 will provide more sun protection than a SPF 30, but the difference is very minimal.  What is most important is that the product you have chosen contains both UVA and UVB protection.  UVB protection is what SPF provides – UVB rays cause your skin to burn.  UVA rays, however, accelerate skin aging and contribute to skin cancer.  The ideal sunscreen will be no lower than 30 SPF and will also include some combination of UVA blocking ingredients, such as zinc oxide, avobenzone, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, and ecamsule.  Products with both UVA and UVB protection are often labeled as multi-spectrum or broad spectrum sunscreens.

     Myth #5:  I’m totally protected as long as I wear long sleeves, long pants, and a hat.  

Although staying covered definitely provides some protection, most clothing actually averages the same UV protection as an SPF 30 sunscreen, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.  Clothing is now tested for UPF (ultraviolet protection factors) and sold at places like www.coolibar.com for stronger protection.

The bottom line is that staying inside or wearing sun protection clothing with a UPF of 50 or higher are the only two fail-proof options we have to defend our skin from the harmful rays of the sun, but there are precautions you can take when you’re soaking up that precious Vitamin D.

I want you to stay healthy and continue to be flawLESS beauties, so be sure to check out more beauty secrets to having the glowing skin of your dreams by clicking here!  

Join me on Facebook and Instagram!  And stay tuned for next week’s blog post, as I share tips and tricks on how you can protect your skin from damage by resisting the urge to scratch that itchy skin!

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Dr. Candrice R. Heath (Dr. Candrice) is a highly respected board-certified Dermatologist. She is also board certified in Pediatrics and Pediatric Dermatology. Dr. Candrice is a nationally recognized author, speaker and expert in dermatology for children and adults. She is dedicated to taking the education she gives patients every day and delivering it to hard-working, busy, multi-tasking people who are on the go. Her bedside manner, fun personality and ability to connect with patients of all ages makes her a true gem. Dr. Candrice loves designing platinum level skin care regimens by melding her knowledge as a dermatologist, researcher and beauty expert. Go to bit.ly/DrCandriceSKIN to learn how to have glowing skin. Want to learn more?

Click here to listen to Dr. Candrice’s live broadcast on Derm on the Go Radio!