Avoid skin scares by using sunscreen - Prevention - advice from Sarah Weitzul, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas - Brief Article

USA Today (Society for the Advancement of Education), August, 2003

When heading outdoors this summer, don't forget to apply the sunscreen. "If used properly, sunblock is very effective at preventing the harmful effects of the sun that may lead to both skin cancer and accelerated aging," warns Sarah Weitzul, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas.

"Ultraviolet light, made up of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) wavelengths, has been shown to cause mutations that lead to skin cancer in skin cells. Such mutations and other effects can be prevented by the use of sunblock."

To get the most out of sunscreen, Weitzul suggests the following:

* Apply liberally at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun for full absorption into the skin. If applied too sparingly, the protective factor can be reduced dramatically.

* Reapply after immersion in water, sweating, contact with clothes, or long periods of time (three to four hours).

* Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that covers both UVA and UVB. Look for products that contain avobenzone (Parsol 1789), zinc oxide, or titanium dioxide.

* Use daily. Weitzul tells her patients if they are going to be out in the sun for 15 minutes or less, use a daily broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun-protection factor (SPF) of 15. If the person will be out longer, sunblock with an SPF of 30 is recommended.