While we were preparing to go on a vacation, the subject of sunscreen came up. Can I use the product from last summer? How much SPF do we need? Which products are best for being in the water? And so on. It's that time of the year when we need to be more vigilant about sun exposure and the necessary protection that goes with the sun.

We hope you will enjoy our feature article below, The Scoop on Sunscreen. Have a great time in the sun and don't forget to follow the tips we've provided.

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Have you been to the store lately and seen all the sunscreen products and all the different SPF levels? What does it all mean in simple terms and how do you choose between them all? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, more than 2 million basal cell and squamous cell skin cancers are diagnosed annually. Here are some basic sunscreen tips and information to help make sure that you and your family can be safe in the sun this summer.

1. SPF stands for sun protection factor. Sunscreens are rated or classified by the strength of their SPF. The SPF numbers on the packaging can range from as low as 2 to greater than 50. These numbers refer to the product's ability to deflect the sun's burning rays (UVB). The sunscreen SPF rating is calculated by comparing the amount of time needed to produce a sunburn on sunscreen-protected skin to the amount of time needed to cause a sunburn on unprotected skin.
2. Sunlight consists of two types of harmful rays: ultraviolet A (UVA) rays and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVA rays (which pass through window glass) penetrate deeper into the dermis, the thickest layer of the skin. The UVB rays are the sun's burning rays (which are blocked by window glass) and are the primary cause of sunburn.
3. Dermatologists strongly recommend using a broad-spectrum (UVA and UVB protection) water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or greater year-round for all skin types. This will help protect against sunburn, premature aging (e.g., age spots and wrinkles) and skin cancer.
4. Sunscreens should be water-resistant, so they cannot be easily removed by sweating or swimming, and should have an SPF of 30 or higher that provides broad-spectrum coverage against both UVA and UVB light.
5. Ingredients to look for on the sunscreen label to ensure broad-spectrum UV coverage include: Avobenzone, Cinoxate, Ecamsule, Menthyl anthranilate, Octyl methoxycinnamate, Octyl salicylate, Oxybenzone, Sulisobenzone, Titanium dioxide and Zinc oxide.
6. Sunscreens should be applied to dry skin 15 to 30 minutes BEFORE going outdoors. One ounce, enough to fill a shot glass, is considered the amount needed to cover the exposed areas of the body properly.
   
7. Check the expiration date! Unless indicated by an expiration date, the FDA requires that all sunscreens be stable and at their original strength for at least three years. 
8. Don't reserve the use of sunscreen only for sunny days. Even on a cloudy day, up to 80 percent of the sun's ultraviolet rays can pass through the clouds. In addition, sand reflects 25 percent of the sun's rays and snow reflects 80 percent of the sun's rays.
9. Sunscreens should be reapplied approximately every two hours or after swimming or perspiring heavily. Even so-called "water-resistant" sunscreens may lose their effectiveness after 40 minutes in the water. Sunscreens rub off as well as wash off, so if you've towel-dried, reapply sunscreen for continued protection. 
10. Apply sunscreen to all exposed areas and pay particular attention to the face, ears, hands, and arms.

Source - the American Academy of Dermatology: www.aad.org