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| Myths & Truths |
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| Just how sun savvy are you? Separate skin fact from sun fiction. |
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| MYTH: You can't get skin cancer if your normal routine doesn't include any outdoor activities. |
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Actually, dermatologists say brief sun exposures all year round can add up to significant damage for people with fair skin. Think of all the times you drive with your sunroof open, the top down or your arm out the window during peak sun hours, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., exposing yourself to damaging UV rays.
Such cumulative, everyday exposures are linked to squamous cell cancer. Although not as dangerous as melanoma, squamous cell cancer is still believed to be the cause of up to 20% of skin cancer deaths.
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| MYTH: If you're wearing sunscreen, you can stay in the sun as long as you want. |
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It's not smart to bake in the sun for several hours, even if you are wearing sunscreen. Sunscreens can't provide total and complete protection from all ultraviolet (UV) rays. The American Cancer Society recommends that people seek shade and limit time in the sun at midday. Also, cover up with a shirt, wear a wide-brimmed hat, and use a sunscreen rated SPF 15 or higher. And don't forget sunglasses for eye protection.
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| MYTH: It's safe for children to stay in the pool all day if they put on a t-shirt after a couple hours and reapply sunscreen to their faces, arms and legs. |
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In reality, UV rays easily penetrate a white cotton T-shirt, particularly if it's wet. Your children will get only about as much protection as an SPF 4 sunscreen—certainly not enough for all day and well below the minimum recommended by the ACS. Better clothing choices include dark colors, fabrics with tight weaves, and specially-treated garments and bathing suits. Sun-protective clothing is often found at sporting goods stores. Another good choice is moving into the shade.
For babies younger than six months, shade, sun-protective clothing, and hats are best. As a last resort, pediatricians now say that very small amounts of sunscreen can be used on small areas, such as the face and back of the hands.
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