The Fourth of July is a great time to honor our country, and also an ideal opportunity to spend some time outdoors. Whether in a backyard at a barbecue, park for a picnic, or poolside at a party, a lot of people will be outside for festivities. That means more exposure to the sun. And as we know, even if it’s not sunny out, harmful UVA and UVB rays can still prevalent. So, here are a few tips that will help keep your skin protected:

• When applying sunscreens, layering does not provide added SPF protection. That means that the SPF you end up with is only the strength of the highest one applied. For example, if you apply a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 then apply one with an SPF of 25, you will have the protection of the SPF of 30.
• Despite that, the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) still recommends applying two layers of sunscreen on all exposed areas. The second layer should be applied about 30 minutes after the first and at least 30 minutes before any sun exposure.
• Reapply sunscreen periodically throughout the day. This is something not a lot of people do or are aware of, but it’s very important. It’s advised to reapply sunscreen roughly about every two hours or after you have been exposed to water.
• SPF protection is on a logarithmic scale. This means there is a bigger difference between SPF 25 and SPF 30 than there is with SPF 30 and SPF 45.
• SPF’s below 15 are essentially worthless. They simply do not provide the skin with enough protection from the sun. We recommend an SPF of at least 30 to all of our patients.
• Don’t forget your lips. The sun’s rays can dry delicate lip tissue. Keep your lips hydrated by using a lip balm with an SPF.
• After a long day out in the sun take a cold shower. It can decrease acne breakouts and help to better hydrate the skin.
• If you do contract sunburn take Advil or Motrin. This will help to block the inflammation that can occur, and actually lessen the burn itself.

Remember these tips to keep your skin safe this holiday weekend and beyond!