The Fourth of July weekend is here and whether you’re planning a barbecue at a park, the beach or in your own backyard, don’t forget the sunblock. Sunblock is a major factor in protecting you from getting skin cancer from sun exposure.  According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, “more than 90 percent of all skin cancers are caused by sun exposure and sunscreens are a key weapon in the arsenal against the disease.” 

So, here are some of the answers to what people want to know about sunblock.
 
What makes the sun harmful?
 
There are two types of ultraviolet (UV) radiation that the sun emits.  They are UVA and UVB rays.  UVB rays are the rays that cause sunburn.  UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply and cause long-term damage, such as wrinkling, leathering, sagging, and other effects of aging.
 
What is the UV Index?
 
The UV Index provides a forecast for the risk of overexposure to the sun.  Knowing the UV Index gives you an idea about the dangers of overexposure to the sun when you are working or playing outside.  It is calculated on a daily basis by the National Weather Service and the Environmental Protection Agency.  The measurement is based on the clouds and local conditions that will affect the amount of UV rays to hit the ground. 
 
It ranges from zero to 10+.  Zero implies a low risk of overexposure to the UV rays of the sun and 10+ is a very high risk of overexposure.  For the average person, a UV Index of 3 to 5 is a moderate risk of overexposure to the sun
 
How can we protect ourselves from the harmful effects of sun?
 
o Limit your exposure to direct sun, i.e., spend time in the shade.
o Wear protective clothing if you’ll be in the sun for along periods of time, especially, a wide brim hat.
o Whether you’re in the direct sun or in the shade, use sunblock with a SPF of 15 or higher.

What is SPF?
 
SPF is an acronym for Sun Protection Factor.  It is laboratory measurement of a sunscreen’s ability to filter the UVB rays to prevent sunburn.  The higher the SPF, the more protection it provides against the sun.  In other words, if you burn in eight minutes and you use a sunblock with a SPF of 10, it will take you 80 minutes to burn.  If you use SPF 15, it will take 120 minutes for you to burn. 
 
In reality, the protection provided depends on several factors:  The person’s skin type, the amount applied and the frequency of application, activities that are engaged in while the product is on, and amount of sunscreen that is absorbed into the skin.
 
How should you apply sunblock?
 
Frequently and liberally!  Despite the fact that it adds hours on to the time it takes for a person to burn, it is best to apply it at least every two hours.  Apply it more frequently, if you are swimming or sweating.  It should also be applied liberally — one ounce per use.  Therefore, if you buy an 8 ounce bottle, it should only last for 8 uses.
 
Which is the best number to get?
 
Anything above SPF 15 is best.  SPF 15 will filter out 92 percent of the UVB rays, SPF 30 will filter out 97 percent of the rays and SPF 50 will filter out about 98 percent. 
 
Whatever number you get, remember to apply it frequently and liberally!
 
What is the best kind to get? 
 
It does not have to the most expensive one on the shelf to be the most effective.  You should look for ones that filter the UVA and UVB rays.  Look for ones that are waterproof or sweatproof.  Needless to say, take waterproof and sweatproof with a grain of salt.  If you go swimming for more than a quick dip and you’re sweating more than a droplet on your forehead, it’s not enough to apply it once.  If you go swimming, apply it again when you come out of the water.  If you’re sweating, apply it more frequently.
 
Are there clothes that have SPF?
 
A regular white T-shirt has an SPF of 3.  There are clothes that are made with zinc oxide and can provide an SPF of 30.  Tighter knit clothing also provides some protection.  Always try to wear a wide-brim hat to give more protection too. 
 
Am I protected from the UV rays in the shade?
 
The shade does provide some protection but the UV rays of the sun can reflect off the water, sand, concrete, and snow (not usually a problem in the summer!) and then penetrate the skin.  So sitting in the shade does provide good protection, but you still need to apply sunscreen.
 
And remember, whether you’re walking on the beach or just sitting on the porch reading a book, it’s always a good idea to have a bottle of sunblock close by. It’s a key factor in reducing your risk of developing skin cancer.

If you have questions about protecting yourself from the harmful rays of the sun or skin cancer – email Dr. Manny at Drmanny@foxnews.com.

Dr. Cynara Coomer is an assistant professor of surgery specializing in breast health and breast cancer surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. She is a FOX News Health contributor providing medical expertise on a variety of topics in cancer research with a focus on women’s health, breast diseases and tips for healthy breasts at any age.

As we know, SPF gives you a relative scale of protection for how long you can stay out in the sun without becoming sunburned versus the time it would take you to burn without using sunscreen.  Sunscreens are graded from SPF 2 to SPF 70.  The question is when is it necessary to use a higher numbered blocker versus a lower numbered blocker and are higher numbered blockers actually that more efficacious to justify the higher cost?

For example, if it takes you three minutes to burn and you use an SPF 15, it would take you 45 minutes to develop a burn.  SPF 15 gives you 15 times the sun protection.  It is generally recommended that most individuals will benefit from using a sunscreen in 30-to-45 range.  The minimal sun protection factor that is recommended would be SPF 15.  However, for those individuals who are very fair-skinned, for example of Irish-American descent or those that have a history of skin cancer – then higher numbered sun protection factors such as 45 to 70 would be indicated in those individuals. 

It is felt from scientific studies that higher SPFs do give you better sun protection; however, how much more protection they give you is still a controversial point. The general consensus is that if you are fair-skinned or if you have a history of skin cancer then higher SPFs are indicated. 

It is very important to use a sunscreen that has both UVB shortwave and UVA longwave coverage.  The SPF only measures the UVB coverage.  There is a new grading system that has been passed by the FDA which will grade UVA coverage from one to four stars based on its capability to protect against longwave UVA irradiation and that should be released in the next few years.  In terms of skin care products, many cosmeceuticals state they have sun protection factors or SPFs in them.  However, in my opinion, usually by themselves they are not sufficient enough to protect your skin from harmful irradiation because of their dilution with other ingredients.

Remember when you swim or sweat any sunscreen will be removed from the skin so it is necessary on very hot days or when you swim or have excessive sweating to reapply suncsreen every two to three hours to be sure you have adequate protection.  Sunscreens keep your skin healthy and protect against the risk of skin cancer and photoaging.  Always wear a sunscreenof SPF 15 or higher – even under clothes – for optimal protection.

Dr. Neil Sadick is one of the most renowned dermatologists and researchers whose multiple discoveries have strongly influenced and transformed the future of dermatology. He is a Professor of Dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College and President of the Cosmetic Surgery Foundation. Dr. Sadick is author, or co-author, of more than 500 articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals and has contributed more than 75 chapters of medical books. Read more at www.sadickdermatology.com

Am I really allergic to my sunscreen or is it the sun???

Over past couple of decades we have seen increasing danger from our powerful sun and its UV rays to cause sunburns and skin cancer.  That is why it is so very important to have maximum protection that includes selecting a sunscreen that is effective and safe. 

“Suspicion of allergy to sun blocks are not uncommon concerns of patients”, according to David E. Cohen MD, MPH Director of Allergic, Occupational, and Environmental Dermatology at New York University School of Medicine. If you have a sunscreen reaction it can occur anywhere the lotion is applied.  Rarely, you may even have an allergy to the sun itself!

So, who is most likely to be allergic to their sunscreen?

First, those exposed to sun on a regular basis, allergic persons (i.e eczema), people who work outdoors, as well as women as they are more likely exposed to cosmetics that contain sunscreen.  Sunscreen allergy is estimated to be about 1% of all skin allergies. Some of the more common triggers may be from the fragrance and/or preservatives in a sunscreen lotion. 

There are 2 types of sunscreens; one is a “chemical absorber” that acts as a sponge to block UV radiation from affecting skin. Whatever product you ultimately choose, a simple allergy patch test can identify if you are allergic or will react to the agent chosen.  “Patch testing would be helpful in distinguishing the specific item that may be causing the allergic reaction”, according to Dr. Cohen, “when a chemical sun block allergy is suspected, physical sun blocks that contain titanium or zinc may be helpful”. 

Dr. Clifford W. Bassett is an assistant clinical professor of medicine at the Long Island College Hospital and on the faculty of NYU School of Medicine.  He is the current vice chair for public education committee of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.  No information in this blog is intended to diagnose or treat any condition.

A 3-year-old girl from England has a rare condition that confines her to darkness most days, according to an online report from the News & Star.

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