Sun-Skin Myths: What You Don’t Know Could Hurt You

You may think your exposure to sun is minimal, if you spend more time in your car or indoors than out in the sun. But think again: The truth is you can still be exposed to dangerous levels of UV radiation from the sun while driving and in other indoor settings.

“People think they are safe in the car,” says dermatologist Dr. Kally Papantoniou. “But you can easily get sunburned and your hands are damaged just by holding the steering wheel.”

Papantoniou, who practices at Advanced Dermatology and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery in New York and New Jersey, tells Newsmax Health that’s just one of many common sun-skin myths that can unwittingly put you or your family at risk.

Another: That skin cancer rarely develops on certain parts of the body that don’t get a lot of sun exposure.

“Skin cancer can develop in places that are never even exposed, like the bottom of the foot, but also hands,” notes Papantoniou, who is affiliated with Northwell Hospital and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York City. “We’re so careful with our children and then as adults we don’t take care of ourselves.”

Here’s a handful of other common misconceptions about sun and skin dangers:

Base tanning. Many people falsely believe that getting a base tan, perhaps by going to a tanning salon before vacationing in a sunny place, can reduce the risk of suffering sunburn or skin cancer risks. “This is a terrible idea,” Papantoniou says. “Your risk goes up exponentially once you use a tanning bed. They are poorly regulated and people are quite misinformed and don’t understand the risk of a tanning bed. The whole idea of getting a tan, and then laying out even more doesn’t make sense.”

Cloudy days. Although people are better informed about sun exposure than they were a few years ago, there are still misunderstandings about such matters as using sunscreen on cloudy days or in winter. The truth is you can suffer sunburn even when the sun isn’t shining brightly. “When it’s cloudy, some people seem to think they don’t need sunscreen,” Papantoniou says. “This doesn’t mean the rays aren’t coming through. You can’t see the sun, but it sees you.”

SPF confusion. You may believe, as many people do, that sunscreens with a higher SPF (sun-protection factor) offer more protection. But that’s a falsehood. If you know you will be out in the sun for a while – swimming, boating, gardening, etc. – then a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 is fine. Going above that level gives you very little added benefit, although if you have a scar, using a higher-SPF sunscreen might be wise.

Sunscreen claims versus reality. Most sunscreens break down over time, so Papantoniou recommends using a zinc-based sunscreen which gives you more longevity. If you are sweating or swimming, the general guideline would be to reapply sunscreen every 60 minutes. “If you are mostly inside, then once a day might be enough,” she says. “No sunscreen is waterproof – maybe resistant – but not waterproof. If you go in the water, towel off, and then reapply.”

For athletic people who sweat a lot, or for men with bald heads, Papantoniou recommends rub on sticks. “It stays on better, is not shiny and doesn’t drip,” she says.

Makeup isn’t protective. “My patients also make the mistake of thinking that makeup is like sunscreen,” Papantoniou notes, “but you aren’t putting it everywhere, like the eyelids. My suggestion is that you moisturize with sunscreen first, and then apply makeup.”

Vitamin D needs. Some people believe that they need a lot of sun exposure for vitamin D. But exposure to the sun is not critical for vitamin D. Papantoniou recommends spending no more than 10 minutes in the sun daily and/or taking vitamin D in an oil capsule form, with meals so it absorbs best. “There may be some places, like New York City, where using sunscreen might prevent you from getting vitamin D, but a healthy diet of natural and fortified foods, plus a supplement can solve the problem,” she says. “Five to 10 minutes of exposure will also work.”

Papantoniou adds that effective strategies have been developed to turn back the clock on sun damage, such as laser treatments that resurface the skin, prescription creams for areas of extensive damage, and serums with vitamin C that can go on under sunscreen, or retinol.

If you have had a lifetime of exposure to sun without appropriate safeguards, then Papantoniou suggests the following:

• Start protecting yourself now. Use about one ounce of sunscreen every time you apply.
• Get routine exams and a full skin check.
• If you have a family history with skin cancer, be extra careful.
• People who have a lot of moles are at a higher risk of getting cancer. Also, it can be hard to keep track of multiple moles, so you need to rely on someone who knows when your skin is changing.
• Skin cancer checks are recommended twice a year, especially in areas where you can’t see well like your back or the bottoms of your feet.
• In addition to sunscreen, wear a sunhat and some UPF clothing which gives you much better protection.