Though we all know we're supposed to slather on a broad-spectrum SPF 30 and reapply every two hours, the truth is that we're not all as good at this as we'd like to be.
"Enter the age of sun protective clothing," says Dr. Steven Mandrea, a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of Lakeview Dermatology in Chicago. "Mainstream brands such as Athleta, Lily Pulitzer, Land's End, and J. Crew have entered the market with stylish bathing suits, cover-ups, swim shirts, hats, and more that offer added sun protection. The best fabrics have an ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) of 50 and are a great supplement to sunscreen."
Image via Imaxtree
"Enter the age of sun protective clothing," says Dr. Steven Mandrea, a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of Lakeview Dermatology in Chicago. "Mainstream brands such as Athleta, Lily Pulitzer, Land's End, and J. Crew have entered the market with stylish bathing suits, cover-ups, swim shirts, hats, and more that offer added sun protection. The best fabrics have an ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) of 50 and are a great supplement to sunscreen."
Image via Imaxtree
Another area of the body that's prone to sunscreen but often gets overlooked is our scalp. And think about it — it's just a sitting duck for the sun's harmful rays.
"The scalp is as susceptible to sun damage as the rest of your skin, and because it's covered by your hair, you're less likely to notice any suspicious moles," recommends Dr. Sobel. "If you part your hair or you're wearing any hair style that exposes your scalp, use a spray sunscreen to protect your scalp." You can also wear hats (UPF hats are ideal for extended outdoor exposure), use a sun umbrella, and try to spend as much time in the shade as possible.
Image via Imaxtree
"The scalp is as susceptible to sun damage as the rest of your skin, and because it's covered by your hair, you're less likely to notice any suspicious moles," recommends Dr. Sobel. "If you part your hair or you're wearing any hair style that exposes your scalp, use a spray sunscreen to protect your scalp." You can also wear hats (UPF hats are ideal for extended outdoor exposure), use a sun umbrella, and try to spend as much time in the shade as possible.
Image via Imaxtree