May 28th is “No Fry Day!” Protect Your Skin With Sunscreen!

To help reduce the rising rates of skin cancer, the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention has designated the Friday before Memorial Day as Don’t Fry Day. The Council’s goal is to encourage sun safety awareness by reminding everyone to protect their skin while enjoying the outdoors on Don’t Fry Day and every day. As a federal advisory member of the Council, EPA will raise awareness about Don’t Fry Day and the importance of sun protection around this date.

Last year the National Council suggested “slap on a hat” as key point in practicing sun protection, but this year they are asking everyone to use all of the action steps. Since no one alone could be effective in protecting to overexposure to UV radiation. Here are those steps. Take control and take action!

Tips to protect your skin:

-Avoid sun burning, intentional tanning, and using tanning beds…

-Apply sunscreen generously 365 days a year to the face, neck, sides of neck, chest and other exposed areas. Find one that you’ll enjoy wearing every day. Our Daily Protection SPF 30 is lightweight and won’t clog the pores.

Did you know? A SPF 30 only protects the skin 4% more than an SPF 30? And as you go up in number, this percentage lowers. The real truth behind sun protection is not the SPF number, but how generously you apply it. Published medical studies have shown that most people apply 1/3 to 1/2 the recommended dose of sunblock. A little dab won’t do ya! First thing in the morning, apply a thick coat to the face, neck, ears, tops of hands and chest (exposed areas of skin) for an important defense against the UV rays given off from the sun.

-Wear sun-protective clothing, wide-brimmed hat, and large framed sunglasses. Actress, Nicole Kidman has been known to wear sun protective clothing to protect her skin from the harsh sun in Australia and to keep her freckles under control. (Read: How Can I Lighten My Freckles?)

-Seek shade. When given the opportunity, always walk on the shady side of the street.

-Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand.

-Apply mineral powder throughout the day. You’ve always heard how important it is to apply sunscreen every 2 hours, yet if you’ve got full makeup on, but this may not be practical. Mineral powders are all the rage these days, and have a natural sunblock built in them (usually a minimum SPF 20). Keep one in your handbag and dust it on your skin throughout the day since direct sunlight, as well as the oils your skin naturally produces can degrade protection. You can also dust it on the tops of your hands since your morning application of sunblock will wash off when you wash my hands. I personally use ColoreScience SPF 50 mineral powder available for purchase here.

-Get extra vitamin D through diet and supplements. Read: Vitamin D and the Sun: The Latest Information

Read: The Dangers of Using Tanning Beds for Those Under 30

In the event you do get a sunburn, read How To Soothe A Sunburn

Questions about your skin? Be sure to email us. We’re here to assist!

Sign up here to receive daily blog posts via email OR sign up here to receive our monthly skin tip e-newsletter via email!

Content Copyright © 2012, Renée Rouleau, Inc

PERMISSION TO REPRINT: You may use any items from this article in your print, blog, magazine or electronic newsletter. But in order to do so, you must include the following paragraph including a link to www.ReneeRouleau.com.

Information courtesy of www.ReneeRouleau.com, a website with skin care tips, products based on nine skin types and advice from skin care expert and celebrity esthetician, Renée Rouleau.