Are You Taking Care Proper Care of Your Skin? Plus a FREE Printable
THE SUN GODDESS
Growing up I never really knew how damaging the sun could really be. I would lay out by the pool or at the beach with my friends, practically pouring suntan oil all over, hoping for that perfect tan. Any time I would visit my grandparents in Florida during the school year, I would make sure that I came home with the quintessential “vacation tan”. I would break out the light colored clothing for the first day back from break so that my suntanned face and body looked that much darker. I’d whine when I would prematurely peel.
REALITY CHECK
Fast forward to today and it is a world of difference. I don’t think twice before making sure I’ve properly armed my body with sunscreen before leaving the house. I live in the land of sunshine (for the most part) and even taking a quick ride in the car to run errands exposes myself to the sun. I cannot avoid it, and it is not by any stretch of the imagination, my friend.
SUNSCREEN TIME
When I was younger, I would apply sunscreen once in the morning and then never reapply. I may as well have not applied at all. Did you know that you need to apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sun exposure and then based on the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of your sunscreen is the timeframe with which to reapply? 2 tablespoons of sunscreen should do the trick.
Reapply every few hours, every hour would be ideal. If you are in and out of the pool or ocean or sweating, I’d reapply much more frequently.
Below are some of my picks when it comes to sunscreen. Click on each image to learn more or to purchase them! They are affiliate links, which do not cost you anything but does help support this blog!
GUIDELINES FOR SUN SAFETY
Sunscreen usage is one of a few important steps you can take to prevent skin cancer. Others include:
- Cover up in clothing and wide-brimmed hats.
- Stay in the shade.
- Avoid tanning beds.
- Look for changes in your skin – especially moles. If they change in size or color, call your dermatologist for an appointment.
- Cloudy days don’t mean that you won’t encounter sun exposure – apply sunscreen regardless.
IMPORTANT FACTS TO KNOW
Here are some interesting facts about skin cancer, as taken from Skin Cancer Foundation website:
- Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States.
- There are more new cases of skin cancer than breast, prostate, lung and colon cancer combined.
- 1 in 5 Americans will develop some form of skin cancer in their lifetime.
Those facts are a bit daunting, right? The most important thing that you can do is visit a dermatologist every year for a “well visit”. To take 30 minutes out of your year and confirm you are healthy, or if there is something found, to take care of it immediately is so worth it.
PREP RECOMMENDATIONS
Don’t wear makeup to your appointment, but if you have to (your appointment is in the middle or end of the work day) take it off before the examination.
Bring with you a list of all products you use on your skin to discuss with the doctor.
Don’t be afraid to break out that notepad and pen to write down key things your doctor is explaining to you.
Ask a lot of questions! This is your time to get the answers you need. Below are questions that I always ask.
- What products should I use on a daily basis for my skin type? Are the products that I am currently using OK for my skin type?
- What causes acne?
- How do I prevent skin cancer? What are some of the signs and how frequently should I have my skin checked?
- What’s the best sunscreen to wear?
- What can I add to my diet to help my skin?
- Can I still use the products I have at home in conjunction with what you are prescribing?
- Is it OK to have sun exposure if I am using this cream/medication?
- What are the latest anti-aging procedures and products available?
- Are there supplements that I can take to help my skin?
I hope you’ve already visited a dermatologist but if you haven’t, here’s basically what transpires:
You take off all of your clothing except for your bra and underwear. Some doctors do offer to check your nether regions too, and that is entirely up to you. The doctor comes in and slowly scans every section of your body, looking for moles that could be precancerous or cancerous. He or she checks your scalp, your armpits – everywhere. It seems a bit awkward at first – you’re standing there with only a fabulous paper or cloth robe on – but before you know it, the exam portion is completed. If by chance the doctor does find a mole that looks iffy, he or she will remove it to have it biopsied. Then you will learn about different products that the doctor may offer you – this is the perfect time to ask any questions you may have.
I am so pale that I always wear sunscreen. I still normally tint a tad even when I wear sunscreen, but I know I won’t burn or get skin cancer if I take the right percautions.
So true that the lighter the skin the easier it is to burn. What is your favorite sunscreen to use?
Great tips! I was a sun worshiper/swim team swimmer as a kid and now I try to protect myself as much as possible. =)
Thank you Joules! I’m glad you protect your skin now! I feel like it wasn’t pushed much when we were younger, but anything you can do now is great!
I love this! I was badly burned by the sun when I was younger and have to see the dermatologist every year since then. It’s so important to stayed covered up. Even if it’s hot and bothersome.
Thanks Trisha! I hate covering up because I get so hot, but when you look at what could be if you don’t cover up – it’s worth it!
These are great tips! I love the sun and sometimes am not as generous as I should be with my sunscreen!
I’m the same way Kelsie. Growing up (even till right before my boys were born) I didn’t know that I would need to apply as much sunscreen as they recommend. I would tab a bit on and that was all.
These are great tips! I have gotten better at using sunscreen, but could still improve.
Thanks you Alison! I feel like I need to put a timer on to go off when I need to reapply. LOL
I’ve never burned, but I still wear sunblock daily! It’s so important. These are great pointers.
LiveLifeWell,
Allison
Thanks Allison! However beautiful the sun makes our day, it can seriously damage our skin!
Interesting timing on this post! I just had 5 suspicious moles removed, and am waiting for the results. As a fair skinned redhead who had her first basal cell carcinoma removed at 24, I go every 6 months. I play a lot of beach volleyball and I still need to be much better at reapplying and the other tips you gave. Although Sun Bum is my far my favorite sunblock!
Good luck with the results of your mole testing Angie! Sun Bum is great sunscreen!
I never, ever use sunblock. Ever. I like to get an awesome tan.
Just be careful! You know you can get a tan even using sunscreen, right?
Yes! I always appreciate a good sunscreen reminder. I’m a super pale girl, so I’ve always slathered on sunscreen. The effects of the sun on unprotected skin are too scary!
I completely agree with you Melisa – the sun is so terrible for our skin. What is your go-to sunscreen?
Oh, I was the same – every year I just baked out there! Not anymore though and thankfully I didn’t do too much damage (I went and got checked). I do protect my kid though and am very diligent about it. Thanks for your printable, that’s quite handy.
Thanks for stopping by Heather! What’s your favorite sunscreen?
I am really sun safe, I use a factor 50 in summer and always use a moisturiser in the mornings with a SPF of 20. I think it’s important to teach kids about this too, as when i was a teenager, there wasn’t much said about it and I often used to sunbathe with no protection
Yay Natasha! I am so glad you are sun safe!!!
I know I don’t take proper care of my skin. When I find a routine that I like and it is working I am all excited and then the next thing you know I have fallen out of the routine.
That is very common, believe it or not! You just have to try super hard to keep up with it!
I was pretty cocky when I was young. Now though that I am almost 40, I can see the wear and tear on my skin.
That was my problem growing up as well, Kathy. I thought I was invincible 🙁
I loved laying out the sun in my younger days and now I will not leave my house without sunscreen on. It is so important to start taking care of your skin in your younger years!
I completely agree with you Terri. I wish I knew as much as I do now when I was younger.
i make regular visits to the dermatologist to get checked out for possible skin cancer. it runs in my family and i don’t want to take any risks
It’s so great that you go to the dermatologist annually! 🙂
I really need to do more to take care of my skin it is so icky at the moment. Thanks for the printable!
Glad you like the printable Ana! It really takes little time to do so, but I can tell you I wasn’t the best at it until recently!
I was so bad about wearing sunscreen when I was younger but now I’m very good about it. I take pretty good care of my skin but I think there is always room for improvement
Jeannette, I’m so glad to hear that you are good about wearing sunscreen 🙂
You must be careful which brands you use, the chemicals can actually cause cancer. So glad I don’t burn and live in the clouds!
Heather, you are so right. I check the EWC site and also read the bottles to make sure I’m not putting worse chemicals on my skin! Where do you live?
I used to believe that the sun was harmless, nowadays i cant leave without my sunscreen and my umbrella.
Umbrellas are great for the sunny days – I should add them to my post – thank you Amy!
Oh yes I need to load up on some sunscreen for me and the kids.
Love the photos!
Thanks Colette!! I am stocking up more so this year!
I have never been so concerned with my skin or my kids’ until the severe weather changes. It really has opened my eyes to all the things that the sun can do to damage our skin and that’s when I made some skin care changes. Thanks for all the pointers! It’s really important that we take good care of our skin.
It has been rather crazy lately – the erratic weather that is! I’m glad you liked the pointers 🙂
I need to start using a Retinol product! I also need to apply sunscreen more often
Retinol is great for wrinkles! 🙂
I am a big SPF user. I go with a tinted one every morning and the a spray on in my car for touchups.
Skin care is very important. People must be extremely cautious about choosing the products.
I completely agree!
I try not to be out in the sun during the peak times (about 10 – 4). As a black person I realise that many in my community do not take this too seriously but we all need to take heed
Yes, the sun is definitely at its most dangerous during those hours! Great job in protecting your skin Mardene!
I used to tan a lot when I was a teenager but stopped when I hit about 21 and have worn sunscreen religiously ever since! Even though I adopted this good habit fairly young I can still see some sun damage on my face that is appearing as dark spots!
I know Shaylee – I see my dark spots and get so mad at myself! The best thing I can do is spread the word and hope to instill this on my boys as well.
I”m getting much better about putting the sunscreen on earlier before I get out in the sun. I think that helps so much. I also bring it with me so I can reapply it.
That the trick – bringing it with you to reapply!!! I forget that sometimes 🙂
I was careless when it came to protecting my skin when i was younger. I am paying for it now with sun spots. Sunscreen is so important to put on everyday.
I agree Ann!
Could not agree more. Skin cancer and melanoma run in my family. I wear sunscreen 365 days and I love blue lizard
Blue Lizard is great, Eileen. Keep up the great sun-safe work!
OMG I really get worried about one of every five americans will develop some form of skin cancer!
Great tips! I used Blue Lizard which is really good!
Great choice – we love Blue Lizard too!
Taking care of your skin …especially for the summer. This was an eye opener. I shared this with a coworker.
Thank you for sharing Lawrence! It is very eye opening – I hope you take great care of your skin!
Great tips especially because its about to get hot again! Yay time for some heat!
Thanks! Thank you for stopping by 🙂