Get Fit Friday: Sunscreen 101

by BargainBriana: Kilah on June 15, 2012

Summer sunshine can be really exciting. You throw on a swimsuit and head for the nearby pool or beach. You spend all day outside enjoying water, family, and fun! Then at about 6 or 7 o’clock you realize you didn’t apply ANY sunscreen. Yikes! Did you know that just one bad burn can lead to skin cancer? This is especially important to know if you have young children. Although they may fight and wrestle to avoid the uncomfortable lotion and complain that you’ve delayed their oh-so-exciting first cannon ball, a little sunscreen can go a long way.

Protect yourself and your family this season with these tips to help you learn all about sunscreens. The Skin Cancer Foundation online has a complete comprehensive guide to sunscreen. I’ve highlighted some of the most important things to know here:

UVA- Ultraviolet A Waves (long-wave) – wrinkling, sagging, and aging rays
UVB- Ultraviolet B Waves (shortwave) – sunburn rays
SPF- Sun Protection Factor – the level of ability to protect against harmful rays
SPF 30 – Protects against 97%
SPF 50 – Protects against 98% (big difference for fair-skin)
Anyone 6months+ should use sunscreen
Infants under 6months should not be exposed to sun at all
Apply 1 ounce every 30 minutes
Reapplication is just as important as original application
You should re-apply after swimming, toweling, or sweating a great deal

If you plan to be outside all day long it’s also wise to occasionally seek shade. I like to wear a big hat and sunglasses when we vacation in Alabama because it protects my forehead, ears, and shoulders without slowing me down much. I also prefer to apply sunscreen several times a day. You may think you won’t get a tan, but you can still get a great tan while being safe. Plus it’s no fun to walk around with a sunburn and peeling all week. For the young ones, you’ll have to catch ‘em quick. Tough love, moms. On spring break this year I found that if I could talk one or two of my siblings in to letting me apply it for them- then all the young kids wanted me to apply for them too. It worked out very nicely!

Now get outside and enjoy the day :)

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