Nikki Sommer, a nurse with Key West Surgical Group, joined Good Morning Keys on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5 FM for Medical Matters this morning.
Living in the Florida Keys makes sunscreen so important and no sunscreen is truly waterproof.
Sommer said, “Or sweat proof. They’re water resistant, but you need to reapply them. That is the message. Actually, they can’t really say that, hey, our brand is waterproof or sweat proof because you do perspire and you are in the water. You have to remember when you’re in the water, the reflection of the sun off the water gives a higher intensity so you’re more prone to burn. So you need to apply it really every hour and 20 minutes or hour and a half, I think they recommend.”
A sunburn can even happen when sitting in the car.
Sommer said, “You can, the reflection of sitting in your car and I actually was just going over that with somebody here in the office who came for a laser. I was like people don’t realize where you may be taking somebody to the store and you’re going to stay in the car, and they’re going to run in, you’re still getting sun. You’re not protected from the sun. It’s coming through the window and it’s hitting you. So you’re probably better off shutting the car off and going in the store.”
The SPF is important.
Sommer said, “Dermatologists recommend using sunscreen with at least an SPF of 30 which blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays, higher number SPFs block more of the UVB rays, but you have to remember that no sunscreen can do it 100%. So they recommend the higher SPF. I don’t like 30 because to me 30 is not enough. So I tell I tell people 50 or higher.”
A baby or a toddler can be even more susceptible to a sunburn.
“They are,” Sommer confirmed. “They have very fragile skin. So six months and under, they really recommend that you don’t have babies out in the sun for a long period of time. You’ve got to keep them in the shade. You’ve got to dress them with long sleeves and trying to find lightweight long sleeves down here could be hard. They recommend long sleeves, lightweight pants, a wide brim hat and sunglasses for an infant is really hard. I guess zero to six months they’re not as mobile so they might keep it on, but have them under an umbrella, canopy, make sure you have the hood of the stroller. I know they have sometimes seem a net factor and go over. But it’s so hard, especially down here because it’s so hot. So trying to keep them confined, covered.
Sunscreen isn’t really recommended for young ones.
Sommer said, “Anyone under six months. Over six months, they say at least SPF 30 or higher. I have a very fair daughter who is a redhead. I remember I used to bathe her in sunscreen, and her cheeks would get red and people would say to me, the sun’s really hot down here. You have to keep her covered. I’m like, yes, I know. People would make fun of me because she would be white, whiter than she was because I just put so much sunscreen on her. I’d chase her around with the sunscreen.”
Sunscreens using zinc oxide or titanium dioxide or special sunscreens made for infants or toddlers may cause less irritation to their sensitive skin.
Sommer said, “They also have for adults, a straight zinc sunscreen. It’s a barrier. It’s a good, protective barrier.”
What about the expiration date on sunscreen?
Sommer said, “You shouldn’t have any leftover sunscreen. It says if you’re using sunscreen every day in the correct amount, you won’t have any leftover because the question is can I use the sunscreen I bought last summer or do I need to purchase a new bottle? Well, you shouldn’t have any leftover. Especially down here because technically, you are supposed to be putting it on every day since we are in the sun 12 months out of the year. You need to put sunscreen on even if it’s cloudy out.”
What about the vitamin D we get from the sun? Can sunscreens reduce it?
Sommer said, “It does. It can decrease the production of vitamin D. However, you should be able to get enough vitamin D from your diet. There’s a lot of beverages that are fortified with vitamin D and I know a lot of people will supplement with vitamins for vitamin D.”
Are sunscreens safe?
Sommer said the FDA “regulates the safety for the sunscreen. They’re required to monitor all the over the counter drugs and sunscreen is one of them. So they are calling for more data on some ingredients to make sure that they are safe and effective. They’re the ones commonly used in sunscreen.”
How do you treat sunburn?
Sommer said, “Take frequent cool baths, showers to help relieve the pain. Apply moisturizer containing aloe, or soy. Aloe is really good. I’ve even put the aloe in the refrigerator so then it’s cool when you’re applying it so that that helps. Aspirin, ibuprofen or Tylenol for comfort. Make sure you stay hydrated because when you’re out in the sun, you get dehydrated. That means the sun has taken out all the moisture, including your skin. So your skin will get dry and hurt from the burn. So making sure you stay hydrated is really important. Do not pop blisters if you blister. Try and keep it protected. You can apply some petroleum jelly to protect it. Sometimes they will pop on their own. So just keep it covered. Don’t pull on it or pick at it.”
Do sunscreens have an impact on the environment?
Sommer said, “They do an assessment and they need more studies. The science in this area is limited and inconclusive.”
Sunscreen is important in reducing your risk of skin cancer and cuts down on premature aging.
Key West Surgical Group can help with skin rejuvenation with the PicoSure pro laser.
Sommer suggested, “You need to make sure that you don’t have any skin cancer prior to coming in to see us or if there is, if you do come in for a consult and you’re concerned about something, point it out, we’ll look at your skin. But if there’s something really bothering you, even if it’s somewhere else on the body, please let me know because I did actually find a spot on somebody yesterday and they’re coming back to see one of the docs.”
For more information, click here: https://www.keywestsurgicalgroup.com/