Save Your Skin in the Sun!

Summer's coming, so it's important to freshen up on sun safety tips! The incidence of melanoma skin cancer increased again in 2009. Keep in mind that almost 80% of total sun exposure occurs after the age of 18, so it's never too late to start protecting your skin.

There has been confusing advice about the sun exposure and Vitamin D levels. While supplementation with Vitamin D has been shown to help reduce the risk of cancer in postmenopausal women, many believe that a small amount of sun exposure is a better source of Vitamin D. If you choose to get your Vitamin D through sun exposure, only expose your legs and arms for about 15 minutes per day, and don't forget to cover your face. (See: The New Recommendations for Sun Exposure.)

When choosing a sunscreen, choose one that is specific for your skin type so that you don't irritate your skin or cause conditions like acne. Here are 10 tips that I share with my patients who cannot resist the Miami beaches:

1. For prolonged sun exposure, like when playing golf or tennis or spending time at the beach, use three layers of sun protection to get maximal effects:

• First, after cleansing, apply an antioxidant to protect against free radical damage. I like Topix Replenix Cream CF or IS Clinical Proheal Serum Advance Plus.
• Then, layer on a chemical sunscreen like Neutrogena Spectrum+ Sunblock or La Roche Posay Anthelios. This acts as a second line of defense for any rays that seep through the top layer.
• That top layer should include a zinc oxide sunblock such as SkinCeuticals Sport UV Defense or Blue Lizard Sensitive Suncream which will reflect most rays away from the skin's surface.

Each of these 3 layers provides an additional level of insurance against any UV rays that make it through the others. Chemical and physical sunscreens work differently, and you need both for maximum protection.

2. Look for sunscreens with both UVA and UVB protection. The best ingredients to look for are:

• UVA blockers: Mexoryl, Helioplex 360, active photobarrier complex, avobenzone
• UVB blockers: Homosalate, Octosalate, octylmethoxycinnamate
• UVA and UVB: Octocrylene, zinc oxide, titanium dioxide.

One great body sunscreen is the new SPF 100 by Neutrogena.

3. Reapply sunscreen every hour. You'll need enough to fill a shot glass to cover your whole body. If you don't want your hands to get sticky, try using a stick sunscreen.

4. Use ½ a teaspoon of sunscreen on your face. Measure it! Most people use ¼ of that amount and are not getting adequate protection. Every morning in the summer, substitute your regular moisturizer for one containing a sunscreen such as Eucerin Everyday Protection Face Lotion or Korres Watermelon Sunscreen Face Cream SPF 30.

5. If sunscreens feel oily on you, try applying OC Eight Professional Mattifying Gel underneath to absorb excess oil. Dusting a powder over sunscreen may help, too. Note: Do not trust the SPF in face powder. Most people do not layer on enough to provide adequate protection.

6. Wear specially manufactured sun-protective clothing and hats, which can block out 97 percent of the sun's rays and never need to be reapplied. Many sport clothing manufacturers, including Nike and Columbia, offer these. Wear a hat and sit under an umbrella when possible.

If you wear contact lenses, Acuvue Oasys lenses block at least 96% of the UVA radiation and 100% of the UVB radiation from the sun. UV coated sunglasses are also important to protect the eyes and surrounding skin.

7. Take a fern-extract supplement like the SunPill or Heliocare before sun exposure to reduce UV damage. Drinking caffeinated green tea and eating blueberries and pomegranate regularly can also help.

8. If you burn easily, avoid using products that contain glycolic or salicylic acid the week before you go in the sun. These chemicals increase your sensitivity to the sun and may cause stinging when you sweat.

Also, take extra caution if you are on blood pressure medications or antibiotics: They can make you more sun sensitive to the sun and more likely to burn.

9. Be careful if you drink margaritas or other citrus drinks outisde. Limes and figs can make your skin more sun sensitive and lead to burns. Wash away any lime juice that contacts your skin immediately.

10. Schedule outdoor activities in the early morning or evening to avoid the midday sun when rays are strongest. If you do get sunburned, soothe skin with Vivite Replenishing Cream and take one or two ibuprofen every 4 hours. An omega 3 fatty acid supplement may help decrease inflammation as well.

Visit www.skintypesolutions.com to find out which sun protection products are right for your specific skin type and to view the list of products mentioned in this post.

Wishing you great skin! Have fun!!

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Dr. Baumann is author of the best-selling book, " The Skin Type Solution." To learn more about her revolutionary skin typing system, visit her Web site, SkinTypeSolutions.com. 

All of Dr. Baumann's recommended skin care products are available online, and a portion of proceeds goes to The Dermatology Foundation.

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