Knowing when to put on sunscreen, or exactly how long prior to sun exposure it needs to be applied, is important too. Apply it too late and you may not be getting the protection you think you are. Skip reapplication and the coverage you started off with won't last.
Equally important, though, is how much sunscreen you're putting on and whether you're reapplying it throughout the day. To break it all down, we asked two board-certified dermatologists to weigh in: Dr. Mona Foad, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA Dermatology, and Dr. Susan Massick, Associate Professor of Dermatology at The Ohio State University College of Medicine.
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How Long Before Sun Exposure Should You Apply Sunscreen?
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"For most sunscreens, I recommend applying them about 15 minutes before sun exposure," Foad tells Parade. "This allows the product to form an even protective film across the skin and ensures you're getting the intended level of protection before stepping outdoors."
"I usually allow at least 20 minutes from sunscreen application before heading out the door to allow optimal protection," Massick says. "If you wait to apply while you're already outside, your sunscreen won't be absorbed enough to be as protective as it could be."
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"I typically recommend using approximately a nickel-sized amount for the face and remembering to cover commonly missed areas such as the ears, neck and chest," she continues.
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How Often Should You Reapply Sunscreen?
"Sunscreen should be reapplied every two hours, and more frequently after swimming or excessive sweating," Foad tells Parade.
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Common Sunscreen Mistakes To Avoid
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Another common problem is forgetting sunscreen on the toes, hands, backs of knees, chest, back of the neck and other spots people accidentally skip, leaving frequently sun-exposed skin unprotected even when the face is covered.
The type of sunscreen matters less than these good application techniques.
The experts do also recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen, meaning it protects from both UVA and UVB ultraviolet radiation. UVA rays have a longer wavelength that can penetrate deeper into the skin and cause inflammation, wrinkles and skin cancer. UVB rays are shorter and more direct, but can lead to DNA damage that also causes skin cancer.
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Sources:
Dr. Mona Foad, board-certified dermatologist and founder of MONA DermatologyDr. Susan Massick, FAAD, Associate Professor of Dermatology, Department of Dermatology, The Ohio State University College of MedicineHence then, the article about the exact right time to apply sunscreen before sun exposure according to dermatologists was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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