9 Places You Should Not Forget To Use SPF
Here is a sobering fact: skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States.1 With summer as the heat is so intense, it is even more important than ever to keep in mind the safety of the sun. We've got everything for you when it comes to all things sun and skin here at Byrdie HQ, whether you want to know about the best SPF products on the market or what it's really like to skin testing.
Summer has arrived, promising beach days, backyard BBQs, happy hours on the rooftop, and weekend getaway. In other words, multiple times to take full advantage of sunlight — but only more opportunities to put your skin at risk. We can talk about the importance of protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, but even the most diligent sunscreens may make certain mistakes that leave their skin vulnerable.
Applying the right sunscreen extends beyond your face and body and there are areas where you need some sun protection. These neglected regions are not the spots we should consider until the evening and we are left with burns and damaged skin. To ensure that we are ready to start the summer while keeping our skin healthy and safe, we have skin specialists who expose all areas of concern when considering sun protection — from head to toe.
01.Scalp
“We often spend excessive time protecting the skin from the face and body and forgetting the most vulnerable area — our head and head,” notes Drs. Kan Cao, scientist and founder of Bluelene. Board-approved dermatologist Lian Mack, MD, echoes this. "People can't remember the place and are not attracted to the idea of applying a thick cream or spray to their hair to reach the scalp," he said. "Products such as Jane Iredale's Powder-Me SPF Dry Sunscreen provide an attractive, effective delivery system to prevent sunburn."
Hair will not always be the best protection against the harmful rays of UVA and UVB, warns Sarah Akram, a face specialist and specialist. "Make sure you wear a hat or remember to apply sunscreen on your head," he advises. "There are spray or fog sunscreens designed to protect the scalp and hair." One of our favorites is this component of minerals and scalp powder.
02.Ears
Even though we are usually good at applying sunscreen to our face, the ears are an extension that we often miss. "The ears are a common place where skin cancer is found," warns Leila Aalam, anthropologist and founder of Beuti Skincare. "When you use your daily SPF on your face, add your outer ears."
Hartman recommends re-applying sunscreen to your ears "every two hours when exposed to direct sunlight, and especially between the peak hours of 10am and 2pm."
Cao adds that you should choose to wear a hat if you plan to be out for a long time.
03.Neck
We know that the neck is one of the first places to show signs of aging, 2 so protecting our neck and our decolletage from the sun is important. "When you apply your daily SPF in the morning to your face, be sure to extend it to your neck and decolletage," advises Cao.
04.Eyelids
Yes, eyelids. The eyes can be deceptive because many sunscreens can be irritating to the eyes, ”said Akram. "My recommendation is to remember to take sunglasses and a hat."
If you are planning to travel a sunscreen near the eyes, Hartman has some tips. "Sunscreen should be applied to the eyelids after all skin care use and as a final protection against UV light," he said.
05.Lips
According to Mack and Akram both, lips are often skipped when it comes to sun protection. "Good lip balm containing SPF will protect your lips," Akram said.
Be sure to carry a SPF-spiked lipstick on the outside and re-apply as needed — as you would with a sunscreen. "Keeping your lips moist will help protect you from sun damage," added Akram.
06.Hands
"In my work, patients often ask me how I can change the symptoms of aging on their hands," admits Mack. "Many patients protect their faces with SPF, but they do not care about the top of their hands."
How often do you apply sunscreen and wash your hands afterwards to remove any oily skin? It is something most of us are guilty of, but it does not do any good for our hands. "Sunspots or age spots on your hands are a place where we can see some of the first signs of aging," explains Akram. "When you wash your hands, you remove any product or protection. It is important to apply sunscreen to the palms of your hands and the back of your hands."
07.Buttocks
"During the summer months, we often close most of our bodies but forget about the edges on our hips," said Aalam. "Swimwear is getting thinner, so make sure you apply sunscreen before going to the beach." Advise you to use sunscreen throughout your waist to ensure coverage under your swimsuit.
08.Knees
Just as the knee is an easy body to miss when we shave our legs, it is part of the body that is easy to miss when we apply sunscreen. "The knees are as vulnerable as other hot spots," Hartman said. However, a sunscreen applied to the knees can easily rub off indiscriminately as a person walks on a beach.
Cao says make sure you wear SPF and apply regularly, especially if you are going to be in the water. "Yeah, the other way is to wear a long skirt or cover up," she says.
09.Toes and Feet
"This is another common place for skin cancer," Aalam revealed. "But also, we tend to wear sandals during the summer months so we automatically assume they are covered and safe - which is not true." For safety, Aalam recommends using sunscreen on the top and bottom of your feet and toes.