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5 Commonly Missed Areas When Applying Sunscreen
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5 Commonly Missed Areas When Applying Sunscreen
Medically reviewed by Aimee Paik, MD
Written by Annie Lam
Last updated 7/3/2022
Most of us know by now that applying sunscreen daily is crucial to keeping your skin healthy and protected. Daily sun protection will help prevent hyperpigmentation, sun damage, and skin cancer. However, there are 5 areas that people commonly miss when applying their SPF. We're here to tell you what to look for with your sunscreen and how to keep these easily missed areas protected!
What to look for with your sunscreen
When it comes to picking out a sunscreen, there are a few things you should look out for:
SPF: The SPF label is the sun protection factor. This number tells you how much uv protection this sunscreen will provide for you. Dermatologists recommend using at least SPF 30 for every day.
Broad-Spectrum: Another important label to look for is broad-spectrum. A broad-spectrum SPF provides protection for UVA rays and UVB rays. This is important to help prevent skin damage and skin cancer from both types of harmful rays.
Sunscreen Filters: There are two main types of sunscreen filters: chemical sunscreen and mineral/physical sunscreen filters. You can learn more about the difference between mineral vs chemical sunscreen filters in our blog post.
Now that you know what to look for with your sunscreen, let's talk about the 5 commonly missed areas.
5 areas you could be missing when applying SPF
1. Neck and chest
Many people have gotten into the habit of applying sunscreen to their face daily, but some forget to bring it down to your neck and chest too! This is especially important when wearing a lower cut top that has more exposed skin.
Keep your skin protected from UV rays by including your neck and chest in your daily sunscreen application. If you're going to be outdoors for a long period of time, consider wearing a higher cut top to minimize sun exposure or be sure to reapply sunscreen regularly to keep your skin protected!
2. Ears
Another commonly missed area when applying your SPF is your ears! The tops of your ears are prone to sun damage and is one of the most susceptible areas for skin cancer. If you tie your hair up or have short hair, this is one of the most exposed areas to harmful UV rays.
It's very important to keep this area protected by applying your favorite sunscreen to this exposed area. You can just use your regular sunscreen and apply it to your ear. Don't forget to apply it to all parts of the ear, including the top and back.
3. Scalp
A more surprising area that needs proper protection is your scalp! Like the tops of your ears, your scalp is a very exposed area when it comes to the suns rays.
You can use your traditional sunscreen on your scalp, but some people prefer powder sunscreen to help with any greasiness. You could also wear a hat when outdoors to keep this area covered!
4. Lips
Another area that many people forget about are your lips. Your lips are susceptible to sunburn and skin cancer too. Many people don't apply any SPF to their lips, which is why it's one of the most common areas people get skin cancer.
Keep your skin protected with an SPF lip balm! Luckily, there are lots of great SPF lip products out there on the market now. From traditional lip balms to lip glosses or other tinted lip products, there's a large variety to choose from. Swap out your daily lip product to one with SPF to keep your lips protected!
5. Back of hands
You may have heard the saying "if you really want to know someone's age, look at their hands." Your hands can get a large amount of sun exposure day to day. Many people start to see UV damage on the back of their hands as freckles or sun spots from ultraviolet rays.
Make it a habit to apply sunscreen to the back of your hands too! An easy tip is to apply your face sunscreen to your face, neck, and chest, then take any extra product and apply it to the back of your hands. Don't forget to reapply sunscreen on your hands throughout the day too!
Keep your skin healthy & protected
Remember to wear your sunscreen daily and don't forget to apply sunscreen to these areas too! Your skin will thank you later.
Looking for a broad spectrum sunscreen that will keep your skin protected? Meet 'Screen, our derm-approved SPF made specifically for acne-prone and sensitive skin. It's lightweight, hydrating, and the perfect complement to prescription treatments.
If you have hyperpigmentation or dark spots from sun damage you're looking to fade, we can help you too! Start a virtual derm visit for just $20 and you'll be connected with an expert derm team. They'll create a customized treatment plan to target your unique skin concerns. Get started with Apostrophe today.
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