Sunscreen Recommendations

Research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that only a small percentage of Americans use sunscreen, and most aren't aware of what type of protection their chosen brand offers. Effective use of sunscreen can help protect against the most common type of cancer and helps in the prevention of wrinkles and age spots. In a 2013 survey, the CDC found that approximately 30 percent of women and 14 percent of men used sunscreen regularly. Women were also more likely to use sunscreen on their face, but not necessarily on other exposed areas of the skin. Additionally, men were most likely to never have used sunscreen at all. As important as using sunscreen in the first place is using one that offers broad-spectrum protection. Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Only about 40 percent of sunscreen users were aware of the protection levels their sunscreen offered. Additionally, the American Academy of Dermatology has advised that a water resistant sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher offers the best protection. Their sunscreen recommendations include applying sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outside.