A 2016 survey from the American
Academy of Dermatology showed a large number of people head out into the sun
this holiday weekend won’t be properly protected.
Among the surveyed, only 32 percent
knew an SPF 30 sunscreen wasn't as twice as protective as SPF 15 sunscreen, and
more than half thought a higher SPF sunscreen have more effective and longer
protection than a lower SPF.
Those numbers aren't shocking to local
dermatologists, who said people make a variety of mistakes when applying
sunscreens.
But for Dr. Omar Ibrahim, medical
director of the Connecticut Skin Institute of Stanford, it is still an
unsettling case, since sun exposure is one of the leading causes of skin cancer
– most common form of cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society,
about 5.4 million basal and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed each year.
Melanoma, the deadliest variety of cancer, will account for about 76,380 cases
of cancer in 2016.
Some surveys included good news
wherein 85 percent of participants knew sunscreen needs to be reapplied after
swimming. However, another study shows that many people aren't using sunscreen
correctly, including some who are otherwise vigilant about sun protection.
In the study published in the Journal
of the American Academy of Dermatology, they found out that those who have
history of skin cancer were more likely to seek shade, wear protective clothing
and apply sunscreen that those without such history, but still got sunburned as
often as those without a cancer history. Researchers said the data indicated that
even those with skin caner history might not be applying sunscreen adequately.
As for a product’s SPF, Dr. Jason
Wilder said beach goers and other sun lovers should use a product with an SPF of
at least 30, which blocks up to 97 percent of the sun’s rays. “The difference
is protection is small once you get about 30,” he said.
No matter the sunscreen’s SPF, the
Academy of Dermatology recommends reapplying every two hours, or after swimming
or sweating.
Source: Stamford Advocate
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