Debunking Your Sunscreen Myths

May 03, 2017

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, and golfers are a prime segment that needs to be cautious about protecting themselves from the sun because of how much time they spend outdoors. The easiest way to do that is by using sunscreen effectively and efficiently, so with our friends at SKIN Sunscreen, the official sunscreen of the SCGA, we put together this list debunking sunscreen myths. Enjoy, and don’t forget to use that sunscreen!

A little sunscreen will last me all day

The general principle is to reapply every three hours. With each application, you should use enough sunscreen to fill a shot glass.

I just need to put sunscreen on my face, arms, legs, back and neck

Wait! You may be missing some key areas. The ears are often neglected, and are a common place for skin cancer to show its ugly face. Also, if you’re not wearing a hat, your scalp is an easy place to get burned. Lastly, don’t forget your lips! Many companies, like SKIN, offer lip balms with SPF.

It’s not sunny so I don’t have to

When it is cloudy, there are still lots of UV rays. In fact, 70 to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can reach earth on a cloudy day. Don’t assume that because it’s not sunny there is little risk of sun damage!

I had sun damage to my skin at a young age, so it doesn’t matter any more

Revamping your sun habits at any age is a good idea. It’s the same as smoking cigarettes, no matter how much damage you’ve done, it’s always good to stop. While it’s true that melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, is more closely linked to childhood sunburns, “it’s cumulative sun exposure that’s associated with other skin cancers, not to mention wrinkles, thinning skin, dark spots, and ‘broken’ capillary veins on the skin,” says Jessica Wu, MD, Los Angeles dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at USC School of Medicine according to rd.com.

Anything above SPF 15 is a waste

Many experts agree that there are in fact differences between SPF 15, 30 and 50. What matters most is how you apply it! Use enough, and use it often enough.

The greasiness effects my grip on the club

Some sunscreens can do that, but companies like SKIN, that are made for golfers and athletes, are able to provide sunscreens that won’t leave your hands sticky or greasy. Look for words like non-greasy or oil-free on the bottle!

"SKIN Sunscreen purposely removed all oils from the active ingredients during formulation in order to provide a non-greasy product which will not interfere with the golf grip or run into your eyes while sweating," said Jessica Folino, general manager of SKIN.

It looks too white on my skin

Try a different sunscreen! If the look of it is important to you, than shop around until you find a sunscreen that doesn’t have you feeling like an uncomfortable Casper The Ghost! Many brands of sunscreen rub in quickly and easily, or have a clear spray to use in the first place!

All I need to protect myself is sunscreen

Sunscreen is great, but it can only do so much. Here are a few other tips to help protect yourself from the sun:

- Wear clothing! A number of companies sell clothing with UV protection. Different types of clothes provide different levels of protection. A tightly woven fabric protects better than loosely woven clothing. Long-sleeved shirts and long pants cover the most skin and are the most protective. Darker colors generally provide more protection than lighter colors. Remember … if you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through too. Be aware that covering up doesn't block out all UV rays. A typical T-shirt worn in the summer usually protects you about as much as Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 8!

- Wear a hat

- Wear sunglasses that block UV Rays. Long hours in the sun without protecting your eyes can increase your chances of developing eye disease. UV-blocking sunglasses can help protect your eyes from sun damage

- Seek shade whenever possible. Umbrellas are not just for rainy days, they can provide shade out on the golf course

- Hydrate

SKIN Sunscreen can be purchased at your local golf shop, as well as online at skinsunscreen.com. SCGA members save 10% when using coupon code, “SCGA10” at checkout.



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leftysmitty

Handicap Index: 14.3
Monday, May 08, 2017

Good advice.  BullFrog is good too.