Practicing What You Preach 

As I was taking my teenager to dermatologists this week, my daughter received her regular exam for her acne.  But then the doc turned on me, and boy did I get it.  I left there with 7 brown spots frozen and a return appointment for 2 other suspicious moles to be cut off.   I’m paying for the 80’s; I have fond memories of tanning with the girl friends using oil!  Well I’m paying for it now.  I can’t say I’ve been a consistent sunscreen user but, I’ve been conscious of sun screen  to my face but not to my body.  Of course I preach to my kids about sunscreen and cover them up, but why don’t I do the same for myself?  Being Stupid, living in the past, in a hurry, and lazy I suppose.

What a lesson my daughter learned that day and she is on me now making sure I have sunscreen everywhere.  We’ve also had fun trying some sunless tanning lotion recommended by the doc.  I must say I am impressed with the results.

Since my visit at the dermatologist’s office I’ve done some research and thought I would share it with everyone.

1. Avoid the sun from 10am-4pm, the sun’s rays are the strongest, if you have to be in sun, limit time and seek shade.
2. Use hats, cover up skin with clothes, and apply sunscreen 30 minutes prior to going outside.
3. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours and more often if in water or perspiring a lot.
4. Wear sunglasses with 99-100% UV blockage with wraparound frames.
5. Infants <6months should be kept out of direct sunlight (delicate thin skin) if they have to be exposed to sun use a small amount of sunscreen all over exposed areas.
6. Sun Protection Factor (SPF), the higher the number means the more it blocks UV rays.  It does not mean you get more time in the sun without reapplying after two hours.  They all become less effective with time.

Here's a link with some sun damaged skin pictures.

 http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sun-damage/SN00021