Safe Sun Protection

By Mary Jo DiLonardo

By now, most people know it’s a bad idea to head out in the sun for hours of sunbathing to earn a golden tan. But there’s more to sun protection than just dabbing on any old sunblock. And, particularly for people with specific autoimmune disorders, protection from the sun should be a serious perennial consideration.

“Everyone should get into habit of wearing sunblock year round, but people with autoimmune issues need to be much more vigilant about covering up their skin,” says dermatologist Jeannette Graf, MD, assistant professor of dermatology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine and author of Stop Aging, Start Living (Crown, 2007).

People with lupus, for example, need to be covered from head to toe when they’re out in the sun because exposure can trigger a painful flare. Some people on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) develop increased sensitivity to sunlight. Conditions such as dermatomyositis, scleroderma and vitaligo are also autoimmune diseases that are sun-sensitive, says Oanh Lauring, MD, chief of dermatology at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore.

“They need good sun protection all day long, every single day,” says Dr. Lauring.

But even if you don’t have an autoimmune illness or take sun-sensitive medication, sun safety should be part of your daily routine.

Sunscreen

Most people don’t apply enough sunscreen and they don’t reapply it often enough, says Dr. Graf. The key is to slather it on thick. Don’t just spread a thin film and think you’re protected. Use the equivalent of one to two shot glasses of lotion depending on your size and don’t forget areas such as the backs of your ears and the tops of your feet. Apply it 30 minutes before sun exposure and, if you’re still outdoors 90 minutes later, reapply it all over again.

An SPF (sun protection factor) of 30 or 45 should be sufficient for most people. There’s not a huge benefit of a higher SPF than that, says Dr. Lauring, but there is an increased risk of skin allergies when more chemicals are added to increase the SPF. But the SPF isn’t the only thing you should look for on your sunscreen label.

The SPF only refers to protection against ultra-violet B (UVB) rays. This is the ultraviolet light that is stronger in summer, sometimes called the “tanning rays.” Until recently, researchers thought these were the most damaging rays, but studies have found that daily ultra-violet A (UVA) light can also be very harmful. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates sunscreen in the U.S., has proposed new regulations for sunscreen labeling including a four-star rating system for UVA protection. No date for the new regulations has been announced. Until that time, look for ingredients such as zinc oxide, titanium dioxide or avobenzone. These are UVA and UVB blockers and will make your sunscreen more effective.

The good news is that you don’t need expensive lotions with fancy ingredients to keep you protected. Some of the best protection can come from some of the biggest names in the sunscreen business – Coppertone, Banana Boat and Neutrogena – says Dr. Graf. All three companies make easy-to-apply, no-rub sprays, which can be easier to apply than lotions for people with arthritis.

But plenty of higher-end products offer extra ingredients if you’re willing to splurge. For example, Prescribed Solutions Up the Anti sunblock ($45) has both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as well as green tea extract to smooth fine lines.

Clothes

Besides covering up with sunblock, covering up with special sun-protected clothing offers great additional shelter.

All the items in the dermatologist-recommended Solumbra line of clothing – including a colorful selection of men’s and women’s shirts, pants, jackets and hats – have an SPF of at least 30, blocking 97 percent of UVA and UVB rays.

Similarly, Tuga Sunwear offers a line of shirts and hats with 50 UPF protection, blocking UVA and UVB rays. The beachwear UV Skinz also offers a zippered version of its popular sun-blocking swimshirt, making it easier to get on and off, especially when it’s wet. Even the popular Fila has a complete line of tennis clothing with SPF 30 woven into the yarn.

Sunglasses

Don’t forget your eyes when you’re in the sun. The Mayo Clinic recommends lenses that block a minimum of 99 percent of UVB rays and at least 95 percent of UVA rays, but now many manufacturers offer 100 percent UV protection. For example, the travel or performance lines from Julbo offer 100 percent protection against UVA and UVB rays.

Sunglasses that are polarized reduce glare for sharper, clearer vision. Just because lenses are polarized, however, doesn’t mean they offer UV protection, so make sure the lenses are also labeled for UV performance. Use caution if choosing blue-blocking lenses, which are most often yellow or orange. Although these lenses are thought to make vision easier in low light, they may not offer sufficient UV protection.

And if you read outdoors, consider sunglasses that double as reading glasses so that your eyes are always protected. Try sunglasses like those from Cinziadesigns, so you’re not squinting at your books unprotected from harmful rays.