What Sunscreen is Right for My Skin?

What Sunscreen is Right for My Skin?

Protecting your skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays is crucial to saving it from sun damage and potentially deadly conditions like skin cancer. You probably know that sunscreen is essential in keeping your skin healthy. However, with so many options, Sunscreenyou may feel a little overwhelmed while standing in the sun care aisle of the drug store before your trip to the pool or beach. Learn which sunscreen is right for you and your skin with help from your Morristown, Mt. Arlington, Liberty Corner and Bridgewater, NJ dermatologist at Affiliated Dermatologists.

Deciphering Sunscreen Labels
On every bottle of sunscreen, there is one very important piece of information. The SPF, or sun protection factor, uses a number to describe how much of the sun’s rays the sunscreen itself filters out. SPF 15 filters out 93% of the sun’s harmful UV rays, while SPF 50 filters out 98%. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using an SPF of at least 30 before going out into the sun.

Sunscreen’s labels also tell you other information, such as if the sunscreen is waterproof, meant for sports or baby-friendly. However, no matter its specification, sunscreen should be liberally reapplied at least once every two hours on dry skin or at least every 30 minutes if you are in the water or sweating. Even if a sunscreen is water-resistant, it only stays on the skin for a maximum of 40-80 minutes, making reapplication crucial to protecting your skin.

Sun Protection in New Jersey
Sunscreen is not the end-all-be-all of sun protection. Since no sunscreen can block out 100% of the sun’s harmful rays, it is important to take other precautions like wearing tightly-woven clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and staying in the shade. Try to avoid the sun’s rays during their strongest times during midday. See your dermatologist regularly for checkups to ensure you are taking proper care of your skin.

Can my Morristown, Mt. Arlington, Liberty Corner and Bridgewater dermatologist help protect my skin? 
Your dermatologist can help you take the proper precautions in protecting your skin. Additionally, your doctor can help you spot potentially problematic spots or moles which have signs of skin cancer. Committing to regular dermatological examinations helps increase your chances of finding and treating skin cancer or sun damage early. Your doctor can also provide you with valuable information on how to properly protect your skin and which sunscreen is best for you.

With offices in Morristown, Mount Arlington, Liberty Corner and Bridgewater, NJ, Affiliated Dermatologists can take care of all your skin’s needs in the Northern New Jersey area. For more information, please contact your dermatologist by calling (973) 267-0300 to schedule your appointment today!


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