5 Lesser-Known Sun Safety Tips

Most people know that you’re supposed to wear broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, and that too much sun exposure can increase your risk of skin cancer. But there’s more to it—here are five lesser-known sun safety tips to keep in mind this summer.

1. Certain types of medications can increase your skin’s sun sensitivity, making your skin more vulnerable to UV rays and causing sunburn and rashes even after minimal sun exposure. Common medications include some acne treatments, antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-inflammatory medications, cholesterol-lowering medications, oral contraceptives, and more. Talk to your provider to make sure you understand the effects your medications may have on your sun sensitivity.

2. Sunscreen does not cause vitamin D deficiency. In a nutshell, trying to get vitamin D isn’t a good reason to skip the sunscreen. While sunscreen does help block UV rays that aid in the body’s vitamin D production, studies show that individuals who use sunscreen are still able to maintain normal vitamin D levels, according to the National Institutes of Health. If you are concerned about your vitamin D levels, your provider can help you assess and manage any lifestyle factors that may affect your body’s intake and production.

3. Cosmetics with SPF are not enough to protect against UV rays. Many skincare and makeup products, like moisturizers and foundations, include SPF. But even if the products you use have a high SPF, you may be using much less than the amount that would be necessary for the SPF to be effective. People often do not use enough actual sunscreen, either. So don’t rely on skincare products alone—and don’t skimp on sunscreen.

4. Melanin does not fully protect against UV rays. Although melanin—the natural substance that determines skin, hair, and eye pigmentation—helps block harmful UV rays, its benefits are limited. The NIH reports that melanin is only equivalent to anywhere from about SPF 3 to SPF 13, depending on your complexion. You still need sunscreen regardless of the amount of melanin in your skin, hair, and eyes.

5. There is no such thing as “waterproof” sunscreen. The FDA only allows manufacturers to designate sunscreens as “water-resistant,” since sweat and water will still wash them away after a certain period of time. Water-resistant sunscreens stay effective in water for approximately 40 minutes (“water-resistant”) or 80 minutes (“very water-resistant”), depending on the label. Even if you stay dry, sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours. So no matter what, don’t forget to reapply as appropriate—whether it’s after 40 minutes, 80 minutes, or two hours.