Save Your Epidermis!

courtesy of the David Cornfield Melanoma Fund

Ok, I admit, I am probably the world's worst sunscreen-putter-on-er. I never burn except my face, or when I'm on the lake. I used to think sunscreen was dumb because it was something my mom has always nagged me about. But its not. Its seriously a life-saver, literally. 

Protect your largest organ! Here's how:

1. Wear sunscreen everyday. There are hundreds of products out there that don't even smell like sunscreen, aren't greasy, double as a moisturizer and are quick yet powerful. Girls - you can even be super careful by buying a moisturizer and a makeup that has sunscreen. If you work out everyday in the afternoon - apply a non-greasy, sweat-resiliant sunscreen to exposed body. And remember that just because its not summer does not mean your skin isn't being effected by UV rays.

2. Apply sunscreen to face and neck. Your neck ages and wrinkles faster than your face. No one wants to be that old lady with the extra droopy neck. Also, look for chapstick/lip balm that has SPF in it!

3. Reapply. Reapply. Reapply. (Sorry if I sound like your mom) If you're going to be on the lake, at the beach, at a sporting event, by the pool, or any other event that you'll be in the sun all day, reapplying sunscreen is imperative. Applying it once does not protect you all day. Sorry.

4. Don't use tanning beds. I understand no one likes to be pasty in the wintertime. But it is NOT okay to look like Snooki. Instead use a self-tanner. Seventeen has great how-to-apply instructions. Or there are tanning salons (ick) that have spray on's that won't leave you orange and streaky.

5. Shade is a good thing. Wear those hats, protective yet cool clothes and sunglasses. Your skin will thank you. Also, try to stay out of the sun between the hours of 10am-2pm, because thats when the sun's UV rays are the most powerful/harmful.

6. Don't be afraid to get crazy. Go ahead, apply it everywhere. Between your toes and tips of your ears? Why not, don't think you wanna lose those bad boys. 

Here's how to pick a sunscreen (courtesy of REI):

-Start off with an SPF of at least 30
-Pick one that protects you from UV-A and UV-B rays (has these ingredients)
Benzophenones (often identified as oxybenzone)
Cinnamates (often identified as octinoxate or cinoxate)
Ecamsule (often marketed as Mexoryl or Mexoryl SX)
Sulisobenzone
Salicylates
Zinc oxide
Titanium dioxide
Avobenzone 
-Sweat and water resistant are optimal. There's no such thing as water "proof" sunscreen.
-SPF numbers do not indicate the duration of a sunscreen's protection. Its a generalization of about how many times longer you can stay out in the sun without getting burned versus how long you could stay out in the sun without protection and get burned. 
-Bigger doesn't always mean better. 100SPF is just the same as 50SPF. 30SPF blocks 97% of UV rays while 50SPF blocks 98%. Anything higher than that is pretty much the same, since you'll have to reapply after 60-90 minutes anyhow... I still wear some 50+ on your face though.




Remember, you don't want to be this lady:

http://thinknice.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/wrinkled-sunburn-mess1.jpg