The Truth About Sun Protection: 10 Sun Safety Myths Debunked

Summer is the perfect time to get outside with family and friends. Enjoying a barbecue, going for a hike, or lounging by the pool offers a welcome respite from the winter months. Still, the joys of summer come with the risk of damaging sun exposure. Being proactive about sun protection can help prevent short-term discomfort and long-term health issues such as skin cancer, the most common type of cancer in the United States.

Myth 1: Sunburns Are a Concern, Not Tanning

Fact: Whether a tan comes from sunbathing or tanning beds, it’s a sign of skin damage. Sunlight includes several types of light rays, including ultraviolet (UV) light. Two subtypes of UV light, UVA and UVB rays, can lead to health issues.

The tan you see is your body’s protective response to these rays and signals that some damage has already been done. Tanning in the sun or tanning beds can cause several issues, including:

• Early skin aging
• Eye damage
• Scaly, thickened skin patches called actinic keratosis
• Skin cancer
• Weakened immune system

Myth 2: All Sunscreen Is the Same

Fact: All sunscreen is designed to protect you from the sun. However, not all sunscreens are the same. Read sunscreen labels and choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays and offers a 15 or higher sun protection factor (SPF). The higher the SPF, the more UV light protection the sunscreen provides. For those with lighter skin tones, sunscreens with an SPF of 30 to 50 or higher are often the best options.

Sunscreens come in two main formulations:

• Chemical sunscreen. The active ingredients in chemical sunscreens work by absorbing UV rays before they can penetrate the skin.
• Physical sunscreen. This type of sunscreen mainly reflects the sun’s rays rather than absorbing them. The active ingredients are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. This option is often a better option for adults with sensitive skin, children, and toddlers. Talk with your child’s pediatrician before putting sunscreen on an infant younger than 6 months.

There are different types of sunscreen formulations, including cream gel, spray, or stick-like sunscreens. Cream sunscreens are usually a good choice for the face because they tend to be lightweight without being greasy.

Myth 3: Sunscreen Causes Vitamin D Deficiency

Fact: Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which is essential for bone strength and the proper function of muscles and nerves.

Your body naturally makes vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. Because of this, there’s a common myth that wearing sunscreen causes vitamin D deficiency. However, for most people, there’s nothing to worry about.

Sunscreen still lets some UV rays in, allowing your body to make vitamin D. Five to 15 minutes of sun a couple of times a week is all you need to get enough vitamin D. Plus, vitamin D is also found naturally in many foods and added to others, such as fortified cereals and milk.

Myth 4: A Little Dab Will Do

Fact: Most people need to apply more sunscreen. An average adult wearing shorts and a t-shirt needs to use about an ounce of sunscreen for full protection. One ounce is the equivalent of a full shot glass.

For the best protection, apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before going outside. Make sure to cover frequently missed areas, including your ears, feet, hands, neck, and the top of your head or hairline. If you need to apply another product, such as bug spray, put the sunscreen on first.

Myth 5: Sunscreen Is the Only Sun Protection You Need

Fact: Although sunscreen is essential to protect your skin, other methods can also lower your risk of skin cancer and other sun-related issues, such as:

• Playing or relaxing in the shade
• Putting on a wide-brim hat
• Using lip balm with SPF protection
• Wearing loose-fitting, long-sleeved shirts and long pants

Myth 6: People With Darker Skin Don’t Need Sunscreen

Fact: All people should use sunscreen for essential protection. Being proactive about sun protection can help people of all skin tones lower their risk of developing cancer. Unfortunately, due to misconceptions and other factors, people of color often have their skin cancer detected at a later stage, when the disease can be harder to treat.

If you’re a person of color, a tinted sunscreen can help you get the protection you need without leaving a visible coating on your skin. A tinted, non-comedogenic mineral sunscreen formula is often a good choice for people of color who have sensitive skin.

Myth 7: Skin Is the Only Body Part That Needs Sun Protection

Fact: In addition to skin damage, UV light can damage your eyes, increasing the risk of:

• Cataracts
• Growth on or near the eyes

Wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat helps prevent eye damage. Choose sunglasses that protect from both UVA and UVB rays, or that say they provide 100% UV protection. In the U.S., you can find sunglasses that meet this standard at all price points.

Myth 8: You Don’t Need Sun Protection on Cloudy Days

Fact: Sun damage can happen in any weather. Checking the UV index is a better way to gauge the risk of sun damage than the weather.

UV radiation levels can vary from day to day and at different times of day. The UV index is a daily measure of UV radiation. The lower the number, the lower the risk of sun damage. You can often find the UV index listed alongside local weather reports.

No matter the UV index, limiting time outside between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are the strongest can also protect you from UV damage.

Myth 9: Waterproof Sunscreen Doesn’t Need to Be Reapplied

Fact: Some sunscreens are water resistant. However, there’s no such thing as waterproof sunscreen. Swimming or sweating can cause even water-resistant sunscreen to wash away. Water-resistant sunscreen generally works well for about 40 to 80 minutes in the water. For maximum protection, reapply all sunscreen products every two hours, whether in or out of the water.

Myth 10: Sunscreen Never Expires

Fact: Before applying sunscreen, check the expiration date. Like other products, sunscreen loses its effectiveness over time.

Exposure to direct sun and high temperatures can also decrease the effectiveness of sunscreen. To ensure your sunscreen will work as intended, avoid keeping it in a hot car. When outside, keep the sunscreen in the shade, stick it in a cooler, or wrap it in a towel to keep it cool.

Looking for more tips to protect your health this summer? Schedule an appointment with a Carson Tahoe Health primary care provider.