Many people believe that a tan will protect their skin from the harmful rays of the sun when in fact, a tan is a sign of sun damage. UV ray exposure doesn’t just occur from spending time outdoors on a sunny day. When you are walking to your car, driving to work, or sitting near a window, you are exposed to harmful rays known as secondary UV exposure.
Secondary exposure occurs where you least expect it, in the shade, on cloudy days, even while you are indoors! The average individual is exposed to more than 10 hours of indoor UV rays every week.
When choosing a sunscreen, choose one that is SPF 15 or higher. In addition to sunscreen, it is important to cover up by wearing a broad brimmed hat. Our scalp, ears, face and neck are less susceptible when wearing a hat. UV protective clothing is also available at outdoor retail stores.
Not all sunscreens are created equal. Many of the sunscreens on the market today have harmful ingredients associated with their use. The Environmental Working Group has developed a scoring system for all sunscreens and rates their health toxicity based upon their individual ingredients.
Dr. Alene Falomo, ND
