We’re in the full swing of summer, and with many of my patients hitting the beaches, pools and backyard barbecues, I get a lot of questions about which brand and type of sunscreen to apply. I am always thrilled by the question, as it means that these patients are thinking about sunscreen at all.
The American Assn. of Dermatology advises all of us to apply an ounce — that’s enough to fill a shot glass — of SPF 30 or higher sunscreen over every part of our bodies that will not be covered by clothes a good 15 minutes before going outside. In order for the sunscreen to work most effectively, it must be reapplied every two hours and whenever we dry off after spending time in the water.