Sports & Sun Safety: Notes from a San Francisco Bay Area Dermatologist
As a sports enthusiast myself, I know how enjoyable it is to get outdoors and be active. So you can continue to enjoy your sport now and for years to come, it is especially important to protect your skin during your activity from burns and long term sun damage.
While the basics for sun safety always include a broad spectrum sunblock that you apply every two hours, outdoor sport fans should take extra precautions to ensure they remain protected. Below are a few tips from the Skin Cancer Foundation Journal on the steps you should consider for your activity.
Golf: A sweat resistant sunscreen with at least SPF 30 that should be reapplied every nine holes or two hours. Remember to apply on the ears, top of head, backs of hands and neck - areas often overlooked. Even better, wear a hat with at least a 3 inch brim to give extra protection to these areas and in general from the sun’s rays.
Running: Even on overcast or cloudy days, 80 percent of the sun’s ultraviolet rays can still penetrate through. Wear clothes with a UPF or ultraviolet protection factor rating of 30 or above. You can find a wide selection of UPF clothing at most sporting good stores. You can also help overheating by choosing fabrics that wick away moisture and keep you drier.
Swimming/Surfing/Windsurfing/Kiteboarding: Any water sport will require a water resistant sunblock. The best choices are those containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. These physical sunblock ingredients are more resistant to water exposure. Make sure to reapply your block after toweling off and in between getting out and going back in the water. Wear a swim shirt to protect your your back - an area that is difficult to apply sunscreen on your own.
Sailing: Reapplication of sunblock is key when sailing. Spray from the water and moisture in the air can degrade your sunblock more quickly, so be sure to keep it handy. Also, wear sunglasses to protect your eyes as the water reflects ultra violet rays.
Tennis: Wearing a sun visor will help shade your face in addition to your sunblock. If you use a towel to wipe your face or body in between sets, be sure to reapply.
Another commonly forgotten area to protect is your lips. Sun damage can cause this area to become constantly dry and peely. Carry a lip balm containing a broad spectrum sunblock and reapply often to avoid future issues.
It is also important to know that NSAIDS like Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and Naproxen (Aleve) make your skin extra sensitive to the sun. So if you are take medications for aches and pains, be especially cautious about your sun protection.
The sun’s UV rays are the strongest between 10 am and 4 pm, so if possible, try to schedule your activity around this time frame.
Enjoy your sport safely this summer and contact our office with any questions!
Tags: Add new tag, bay area dermatologist, san francisco dermatologist, sports, sun, sunblock, ultraviolet, uv rays, water
This entry was posted on Monday, June 15th, 2009 at 10:29 am and is filed under Skin Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
