The 8 Biggest Sun Protection Mistakes

Save your skin

Friday, April 17, 2015, 12:43 pm

Imagine heading out in a thunderstorm with a big, sturdy umbrella—one you've just slashed apart with a razor. Madness, right? And yet, that's how most men approach sun protection: Totally half-assed.

But even if you slather on SPF as religiously as an Irish priest in Ecuador, you're likely making a few mistakes without even knowing it. And since the National Skin Cancer Foundation estimates that 90 percent of non-melanoma skin cancers are caused by sun exposure, those blunders could cost you. Here are 8 common sun protection errors—and what you should do instead.


You wear sunscreen, but . . .

You Don't Wear Enough
A 2007 study in the British Journal of Dermatology revealed a huge gap between a sunscreen's theoretical sun-protection factor (SPF) and its real-world protection, because sunscreen users often apply only a quarter of the recommended amount. "You should try to use roughly a shot glass of sunscreen for each application," says Tom Rohrer, M.D., a dermatologist in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. That's about 1.5 ounces. As for your face, shoot for a teaspoon each time out.

You Only Apply It Once
Too many people put their sunscreen on once and consider it done for the day, but even the sweatproof, waterproof, and "long-acting" sunscreens wear off from sweating and swimming, Rohrer says. Stick to these rules: Apply the first batch of sunscreen to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside, so that it can fully absorb into your skin. Then, reapply it every 2 hours, or immediately after you take a swim or sweat excessively. (Learn how to slather up by watching this video.)

It's Not the Right Stuff
The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using a broad-spectrum (UVA/UVB) sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher every day. "Anything lower will block a portion of the sun's light, but not the whole broad spectrum, allowing damage to occur," says Mark Lebwohl, M.D., chair of the dermatology department at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Look for any brand with an ingredient called mexoryl, a UVA-blocking compound that doesn't degrade as quickly in sunlight as other FDA-approved UVA filters.

You Rely on Your T-Shirt
Dress defensively: A regular T-shirt only has an SPF of about 5, says William Heimer, M.D., a dermatologist in San Diego. "That means a lot of UV light is filtering through." You can find cool styles of clothing with built-in SPF at, or sprinkle a laundry aid like SunGuard into your wash, which increases clothing's SPF to 30. 

You Forget Your Supporting Cast
You may have your body and face covered, but don't forget your eyes, lips, and noggin. UVA and UVB rays, which are invisible to the naked eye, can cause cataracts, eyelid cancers, and skin cancers. But don't just strap on any pair of sunglasses—only the UV-blocking brands will work. You don't have to spring for an expensive set of Ray-Bans, but make sure you get lenses with 100% UV protection. 

Now for your lips: The skin on your lips is very thin, making them especially susceptible to sun damage, and your lower lip is one of the most common sites for squamous-cell carcinoma to set in, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Always use a lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher on your lips, and keep reapplying using your same sunscreen schedule. 

Finally, wear a broad-brimmed hat to cover your head, and not one that's made of mesh. "A mesh hat isn't adequate protection because it still allows light to get through to your scalp," Lebwohl says.

You Avoid the Sun Completely
When it comes to prevention, there's concerned, and then there's paranoid. Don't go overboard and sit out the summer by spending it indoors. Actually, sunlight could also play a role in defeating melanoma. A 2005 study at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center found that melanoma patients who had the most sun exposure prior to diagnosis had better odds of survival. That may be because vitamin D, which is produced by the sun, can help slow the spread of cancer. (Still, Lebwohl recommends a vitamin D supplement rather than spending time in the sun to produce it.) Bottom line: Go ahead, enjoy the sun—when you're covered up.

You Drink the Wrong Caffeine
There's nothing wrong with a cup of joe—but switching to tea could help fight cancer. Green tea is packed with powerful antioxidants that act as a sort of self-destruct button for would-be cancer cells, causing them to die off before they can turn malignant. Your prescription: Drink two large cups of green tea daily. 

You Only Check for Raised Brown Spots
Ice Cube was right: You do need to check yourself before you wreck yourself, and make sure to check often. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends examining your skin from head to toe every month for anything suspicious—not just raised brown spots. If you find any new or changing moles (size, shape, color, border), show them to your dermatologist immediately, Mohrer says. Because not all cancer looks like cancer: "The majority of melanomas I've seen and diagnosed are flat to the skin," he says. And basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, which are far more common than melanomas (an estimated 2.8 million and 700,000 cases are diagnosed each year in the U.S., respectively), can look like small clear or pink pimples that continue to grow slowly over time, says Mohrer. So when in doubt, get it checked. 

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