Article by Dr. Elizabeth Hale
(BPT) - It's no secret that sunscreen is essential for protecting our skin from the sun's damaging rays. Even on a cloudy day, sunscreen is important for helping to reduce early signs of skin aging and skin cancer when used along with other sun protection measures. However, not everything you hear about sun care is true: there are a number of dangerous sunscreen misconceptions out there that can lead to potential issues for the skin down the road.
To cut through the confusion and help you best protect your skin from the sun's harmful effects, board-certified dermatologist and Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at the New York University Langone Medical Center, Dr. Elizabeth Hale, who has partnered with Coppertone, debunks common sunscreen myths:
Myth #1: All sunscreens are created equal
Truth: To best protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays, look for the words "broad spectrum" when choosing a sunscreen, which means the product protects from both forms of UV radiation. Opt for a product with a minimum SPF 30, which can help protect you from approximately 97 percent of the sun's damaging rays, and look for a product that is water-resistant.
Myth #2: Individuals with darker complexions don't need sunscreen
Truth: Having a darker complexion means more melanin is present in the skin, but this only works to diffuse UV light to a certain extent and doesn't protect from skin cancer and sun-induced
BEAUTY AND FASHION
7 Sunscreen Myths a Dermatologist
wants You to Stop Believing