CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) – According to one UVA Health dermatologist, not all sunscreens are made the same.
If you’re not careful with the type you pick, you aren’t protected.
“Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States by far,” UVA Health Dermatologist Doctor Mark Russell said. “There’s probably twice as many skin cancers diagnosed every year as all other cancers.”
Dr. Russell, who specializes skin cancers, says knowing your sunscreen type matters. Chemical sunscreens absorb into the skin, and they don’t work for everyone.
“You would only know that if you tried it and it could result in redness or itchiness of the skin,” Dr. Russell said. “In addition, they’ve also been found to be absorbed through the skin into the blood or the urine or breast milk.”
Mineral sunscreens, like zinc or titanium, sit on top of the skin and block rays before they penetrate.
No matter what you use, Russell says, make sure it’s water resistant and reapply often.
“My recommendation is somewhere between 30 and 60, and a sunscreen that feels good on your skin,” Dr. Russell said.
Don’t stop at your arms and face. He says, cover the spots, people forget such as feet, scalp, and lower lip.
“I can tell you from seeing many patients that we have to be aware to protect those areas that we don’t necessarily think we need to protect,” Dr. Russell said.
Sun protective, long sleeve shirts and pants, and seeking shade can be good ways to help reduce risk of skin cancer.
“Photoprotective clothing like broad brimmed hats, sun protective, long-sleeve shirts and pants, and also seeking the shade when you can are good ways to help reduce that risk,” Dr. Russell said.
While darker skin may burn less, no one is immune to damage.
“Darker complexions may get skin cancers in uncommon areas like the nail beds or the palms of the hands or the bottoms of the feet,” Dr. Russell said. “You really have to watch for those because they can sometimes be diagnosed at a more advanced level and are therefore a little bit harder to treat.”
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