Protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays is a must, especially if you're undergoing skin cancer treatment or you've recently been cured. However, getting adequate protection isn't just a matter of picking up a tube and calling it a day. Follow these three tips to get the most out of your sunscreen and to ensure that you're protected.
Variety
The type of sunscreen you get is just as important as how you use it. Here's how to know if you're getting a good one:
Broad Spectrum - Only sunscreens marked with this term protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. Don't buy a sunscreen without it.
High SPF - The higher the number SPF the product is labeled with, the more protection it will provide.
Scent and Texture - If a sunscreen is smelly or unpleasant in texture, you won't want to use it. Try them out until you find one that's unscented or lightly scented, and has a light and readily-absorbing texture.
Alternatively, you can always ask your dermatologist to find out what brands and types of sunscreen they personally recommend.
Amount
The amount of sunscreen you use is extremely important. If you don't apply enough, you won't receive the amount of protection that's advertised on the label. In order to provide adequate coverage, you need to use at least two tablespoons' worth if you're applying it to your face and body. Any less, and you'll get less protection.
The amount of sunscreen you need might seem excessive, but it's not hard to do. If you choose a sunscreen with a nice texture, you can gradually layer the sunscreen until you have enough on your skin. This will allow it to sink in so that your skin doesn't stay greasy or wet.
Camera
Finally, if you're serious about keeping your skin as safe as you can, consider buying a UV camera.
UV cameras don't catch light rays the way that a standard camera does. Instead, they record UV light and how that light is affecting its environment. When you have adequate protection, skin under a UV camera looks very dark even if the person is pale and using a clear sunscreen. Without this protection, skin will appear lighter and closer to the actual skin tone of the person wearing it.
You can use a UV camera to ensure that you have complete protection over the entirety of your body and that there aren't any bald spots you've missed. It can also be super helpful for finding out when your sunscreen is starting to become less effective after you've been wearing it for a while.
These tips will keep your skin safe no matter where you go. Follow them and your dermatologist's advice about skin cancer treatments to help prevent skin cancer from reoccurring.
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