I was born in 1973, well before sunscreen was a common thing in my world. I remember being younger and my Dad “discovering” sunscreen for the first time and trying to get me to use it. My dad is fair skinned and burned easily. My mom could get golden tan with the best of them. I tried to follow in my Mom’s footsteps and tan away, but my Dad was wise enough to see that I take after him and burn VERY easily. I’m wishing I took my Dad’s advice earlier and used that crazy thing called sunscreen.
Back in the early 80s Australia started a “Slip, Slop, Slap” educational campaign, that is still used today. Check out the cool vintage video in our social this week. They have now expanded this to include “Seek and Slide”. Let’s hit these ideas today. We have tons of sunscreen articles on our site, so we are focusing on the other options today and a few extras!
SLIP on a shirt. Simple as sounds, this one wasn’t cool when I was a kid either. Back to my Dad… he was always trying to get me to wear a shirt at the beach or the pool. Back then, there weren’t any cool rash guards or swim shirts. Just old cotton shirts that were heavy and got all stretched out when worn in the water. We have it so good these days. I have two favorites that I wear A LOT in summer. Lands End long sleeve rash guard and Coolibar Lawai Ruche Swim Shirt. If you see me outside in the sun, 90% or more of the time I will be wearing one of these two shirts. They hold up well and come in lots of colors. After a recent trip to Florida it was very obvious where my shirt stopped. Sunscreen is great. Wearing a shirt is better and a lot simpler.
SLOP on sunscreen. We have a ton of sunscreen articles on our site. I’ll hit the highlights though just for a reminder. I recommend MINERAL sunscreen, zinc or titanium ONLY as the active ingredients. Check to make sure it is water resistant and reapply often if wet. If using on the face or other acne prone areas, make sure it is non-comedogenic or says doesn’t clog pores. Reapply often! Most sunscreens are designed to need reapplied every two hours. This is why sun protective clothing is MUCH easier.
SLAP on a hat. A wide brimmed hat is best to cover the ears and neck, but not always the most practical or stylish. When choosing a hat, hold it up to the light. If you can see light through it, it’s not a good choice. Straw hats are a common choice, but tons of light gets through most of them, so pay attention.
SEEK Shade is one of the new ones. On our recent trip to the beach, we found the only shade tree and took up residence under it. Umbrellas are wonderful, but need to be adjusted as the sun shifts.
SLIDE on a pair of sunglasses. Ever see a pro golfer take off their hat and sunglasses? It’s a tell tale sign that these items make a difference. Other than the skin, UV exposure to the eyes increases risk of cataracts. Not to mention, all that squinting in the sun, gives us wrinkles. Make sure sunglasses are marked that they block 100% UVA and UVB.
Now a bonus tip… I was trying to think of an S word to fit in. Maybe SLURP?
Polypodium Fern Extract to Reduce Sun Sensitivity – Polypodium leucotomos is a fern from South America. It has been investigated for treating skin disease and skin cancer for over 30 years, starting with Dr. Fitzpatrick at Harvard Medical School in the 1990s. Polypodium extract includes chlorogenic acid, coumaric acid, vanillic acid, caffeic acid, and ferulic acid. This natural extract is packed with antioxidant properties that help maintain your skin’s ability to protect itself against the aging effects of free radicals. Many patients who have a history of sun sensitivity find this supplement a lifesaver, reducing severe reactions to the sun. While it does not entirely substitute for sunscreen, it is a great alternative for those stubborn family members who refuse to use sunscreen. Heliocare was the first to market and is available on amazon. My family all take this on our days where we spend lots of time outdoors. One capsule protects all day. It’s not a substitute for sunscreen, but it really fills in the “gaps” in sunscreen use. It’s simple and easy. Anecdotally, I also have a lot of patients with a history of sun sensitivity and “sun poisoning” who find this supplement extremely helpful in reducing their sensitivity to the sun!
While sunscreen is really important, these additional tips will help keep your skin healthy throughout the year. And I’ve learned my lesson on sun protection and many more from my wonderful Dad.
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