The Importance of Sunscreen in SWFL

It’s one of the biggest perks of living in the sunshine state. “Enjoy the sun, get out, enjoy your life, but do it safely.” Our sunny weather doesn’t come without risk. The NIH said sunburns, especially at younger ages is a strong predictor of future skin cancers, including melanoma, the deadliest form. Wearing sunscreen consistently has been shown to reduce that risk. “Most important thing to look for is broad spectrum, which means that it's going to protect against UVA light and UVB light, both of which are present all year round in Southwest Florida.” Dr. Audrey Wagner said wearing sunscreen can also reduce photoaging. “Photoaging is where our cells are more prone to decreasing the amount of collagen, which is what makes your skin look young, youthful, hydrated, and can lead to wrinkles.”

While those who are more sun sensitive are more likely to get burned, Dr. Wagner said, “The amount of melanin that you have in your skin does not exclude you from the risks associated with skin cancer and not wearing sunscreen.”

When it comes to your face, “If someone is prone to acne, you can look for a sunscreen that has the term non-comedogenic. Essentially, that means that it's less likely to clog your pores.” Dr. Wagner recommends mineral sunscreens for kids over 6 months old. “Mineral sunscreens are zinc and titanium dioxide. They act as a reflection of the sunlight on the skin. You may not see it, but it's essentially like a mirror bouncing those UV lights back away from the cells and preventing the damage.”

Aim for at least SPF 30, don’t forget to reapply, and wear protective clothing.
View More Health Matters video segments at youtube.com/leehealth

Lee Health in Fort Myers, FL is the largest network of health care facilities in Southwest Florida and is highly respected for its expertise, innovation and quality of care. For more than 100 years, we’ve been providing our community with personalized preventative health services and primary care to highly specialized care services and robotic assisted surgeries.

Visit LeeHealth.org

Видео The Importance of Sunscreen in SWFL канала Lee Health