Health report
Memorial Day weekend is basically our unofficial starting pistol here at the Jersey Shore. The umbrellas pop open, the boardwalks start buzzing, and we emerge from our winter hibernation ready to soak in every ray of sunshine we have missed since October. I am right there with you, towel, chair, and a good book; completely in my element.
Here’s what I’ve learned after years as a health reporter and living the shore life: the sun that makes us feel alive in the summer is also keeping a running tab. Ten or 20 years from now, it plans to collect.
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which is timed perfectly as we head to the beach, park or pool. Before we stake our spot in sun, let’s talk about what’s happening to our skin out there, and what we can do about it.
Sun damage is cumulative. That word should get our attention. Every unprotected hour we’ve ever spent outdoors, every childhood summer, every sports game on the sidelines, every lunch break in the parking lot, has been steadily added to a running total in our skin. We don’t see it happening in real time, which is exactly what makes it so deceptive.
Over time, that accumulation shows up in three main ways. First, skin cancer, the most common cancer in the United States, with more than five million cases treated annually. When caught early, it’s also among the most treatable. Second, sunspots, those flat brown patches that seem to appear overnight but are actually decades in the making. Third, premature aging, wrinkles, sagging, and leathery texture that have far more to do with sun exposure than with birthdays. Dermatologists estimate that up to 90% of visible skin aging is caused by the sun. Let that sink in while you are setting up your chair on the beach.
Something many people don’t realize: UV rays penetrate glass and clouds. That means your daily commute, a long car ride, sitting near a sunny window at the office, or even spending time outside on a cloudy day all count toward that running tab. A moisturizer with SPF built in is an easy, effortless way to protect our face and hands every single day, no beach required.
Let’s talk about sunscreens. They are not all created equally. There are two types: chemical sunscreens, which absorb UV rays and convert them to heat, and mineral sunscreens, which sit on top of the skin and physically block UV rays using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. From a safety and efficacy standpoint, mineral sunscreens, particularly those with non-nano zinc oxide, are considered the least toxic option and are generally recommended by dermatologists, especially for children, pregnant women, and anyone with sensitive skin.
Zinc oxide has come a long way since the days of the white-nosed lifeguards. Today’s formulas come in tinted versions that go on smoothly, melt into the skin, and smooth out our complexion while they protect it. Many double as a light foundation. The days of the white cast are largely behind us, and these newer tinted mineral sunscreens are some of the best products on the market right now.
When shopping, look for “broad spectrum” on the label, which is critical because SPF alone only measures protection against UVB rays, the ones that burn us. Broad spectrum means you’re also covered against UVA rays, the ones that age us. The FDA requires that a broad-spectrum sunscreen provides UVA protection proportional to its UVB protection, meaning the higher the SPF, the more UVA coverage you get as well. SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UVB rays, which is excellent protection for most people. Going higher offers only marginally more coverage and can create a false sense of security, which brings me to the most important sunscreen habit of all.
To drive home the point about sun protection, I coined the term “Redo in Two.” Reapply your sunscreen every two hours when you’re outdoors for an extended period, and more frequently if you’ve been in the water, even if your sunscreen claims to be water resistant. Water resistant does not mean waterproof, and no sunscreen survives a full day of sweating and dipping in and out of the water. Most of us apply sunscreen once in the morning and consider ourselves covered for the day. The reality is sunscreen breaks down with UV exposure, sweat, and water, and after two hours it’s offering a fraction of its original protection. Set a timer. Make it a ritual. Redo in Two.
A few more practices worth keeping in your beach bag: most people use far less sunscreen than needed, so apply sunscreen generously, and do it 15 to 30 minutes before sun exposure so it has time to bind to the skin. Don’t forget your ears, back of your neck, tops of your feet and hands, and the part in your hair (there are also products for that). Pair your sunscreen with a wide-brimmed hat, UV-protective sunglasses, and shade during peak sun hours between 10am and 3pm.
As we kick off summer, let’s enjoy the sunshine the smart way. Slather up, redo in two, wear a hat and sunglasses, seek shade when you can, and protect your skin during every beach outing, boardwalk stroll, and sunny day ahead. Years from now, you’ll be glad there’s no tab for the sun to collect.
Robin is a former television reporter for NBC News 40. She currently hosts a podcast and radio program called Living Well with Robin Stoloff. It airs Sundays at 10 AM on Lite 96.9. You can email Robin at livingwellwithrobin@gmail.com
