Sun Safety:
No Appointment Necessary

Aired on Superstation WGN
Saturday, April 2 and June 2, 2005

Show 210

Dr. Lisa Thornton:

Did you know that tanning is your skins way of protecting itself from the sun? Sun protection is critical to prevent skin cancer and to keep your skin looking young. But shopping for sunscreen can be so confusing. Here's some helpful advice on what you should be looking for.

April Manfredo, PharmD, RPh:

The best way to protect yourself from the sun is to use a sunscreen daily. The SPF rating only refers to the ultraviolet B protection. It does not refer to the amount of ultraviolet A protection. And you really need to choose a sunscreen that protects against both. Some examples would be something with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. SPF or sun protection factor refers to the amount of time that you can remain in the sun without becoming sunburned. For example, if you choose an SPF sunscreen of 15, you can remain in the sun 15 times longer than had you gone into the sun with no sunscreen. Most people don't use enough sunscreen and you really need to apply a liberal amount to the entire body 30 minutes before going out into the sun. There really is no safe tan, and even a tanning salon can cause skin cancer. But if you want to get that great tan look without paying the price, you can use a sun bronzer. So my advice to you is to use a sunscreen daily—make it a part of your daily routine, just like brushing your teeth.