A recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology found that only 33% of adults typically reapply sunscreen when outdoors.
According to the survey of 1,000 U.S. adults, while 80% of Americans know they should apply sunscreen every two hours when outdoors, only 33% typically reapply it, while 42% either do not reapply sunscreen at all or reapply it only when they get wet. Another bad habit worth noting: 30% of the respondents apply sunscreen only to their faces and not to other areas of their bodies.
Do any of these behaviors seem familiar to you? Don’t worry, we are not interested in making you feel bad! Rather, we are eager to help you get back on track so you can minimize sun damage going forward. After all, the goal is to enjoy a carefree summer with protected, radiant skin. That sounds like a pretty good plan, doesn’t it?
Here are a few tips for making skin protection easier to do and easier on you:
Look for SPF in your makeup and moisturizers.
If you are applying makeup or moisturizer anyway, why not kill two birds with one stone and choose cosmetics containing sunscreen? Double-tasking formulas are everywhere these days and work to improve the look of your skin while affording UV protection. If you need help finding a brand that works for your skin type, reach out to us any time by calling 541-200-2777 or requesting a consultation online.
Start the day strategically.
If you don’t wear makeup or moisturizer on a daily basis, that’s okay. You can still start your day right by adding one simple task to your morning routine: Sunscreen application! Simply keep your favorite SPF in the bathroom with you and apply it immediately after your shower.
Seek the shade — it works!
We hear it all the time from our patients: “I went outside to yank a few weeds out of my garden and I got this nasty sunburn on the back of my neck and shoulders!” Do you get caught outside without sun protection because you were only planning to be out for a “moment?” Unfortunately, a little unprotected UV exposure is all it takes to make a sunburn, especially if you lose track of the time. The good news is that simple protective measures truly do work! Whenever possible, try seeking shade and wearing hats, sunglasses and protective clothing.
To learn more about protecting your skin, please call 541-200-2777 or request a consultation online. For your convenience, we are thrilled to offer even more appointments at our new location, The Annex, right across the street from The Clinic! Another exciting note: Our new bilingual provider, David Richardson, PA-C, is now accepting patients! David is fluent in both English and Spanish.
