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10 facts about sunscreen

Good body armor is a no-brainer on the battlefield. The same thing is true when protecting yourself against the sun. Michael Murphy, a former Army dermatologist and now a civilian skin cancer surgeon, offers these tips on sheathing your skin with sunscreen.

1. The basics. Avoid sun exposure from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Most experts agree you should grab a broad-spectrum sunscreen rated SPF 15 or better.

2. When to apply. Sunscreen needs 30 minutes to absorb into the skin. An ounce is usually good. “Most people underapply sunscreen,” Murphy says.

3. Reapply often. You should reapply at least every two hours.

4. The SPF truth. SPF protects against only ultraviolet B rays. SPF 15 means unprotected skin would burn 15 times faster than slathered skin. It does not mean you can stay in the sun 15 times longer without suffering damage.

5. The skinny on UVA. Labels don’t mention how well a product screens ultraviolet A rays, which contribute to skin aging and cancer. The FDA is considering new labeling rules.

6. Key ingredients. Look for avobenzone, oxybenzone, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide or ecamsule (or Mexoryl SX). An effective broad-spectrum sunscreen should contain one or more of those.

7. Two misleading terms. “Waterproof” (no such thing) and “sunblock” (products screen, but do not block), according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.

8. Burning through. A typical cotton shirt provides the equivalent to SPF 6-8. Baseball caps don’t protect much. Murphy says to lather up and/or wear a wide-brimmed hat.

9. Mixed protection. A study found that mixing sunscreen and insect repellent lowers sunscreen effectiveness by 33 percent.

10. If it fails. If you’re in pain, drink water or juice. Acetaminophen will help with headaches, slight fever or chills. Soothe the skin with a washcloth soaked in cold skim milk. It helps kill the fire and creates a protein film that eases the pain.