Skin Care and the Sun: FAQs

The sun may feel good on your skin, and it may perk you up, especially after a long stretch of not-so-nice weather. However, it's not your skin's friend. Fortunately, with some skin care tips for the sun and the assistance of Dr. Lynn Anderson, Dr. Kristen Rice, and Dr. Jacqueline Guidry at Midtown Dermatology, serving Tulsa, OK, and the nearby region, you can help reduce the skin risks associated with the sun.

How Do You Pick a Sunscreen?

You need to check the SPF, which is an acronym that stands for sun protection factor. No matter what your skin tone is, you should choose one that's 30 or higher. If you have fairer skin, you'll want to choose an even higher one.

You can choose one that's all-natural if that's a quality you find important.

When Should You Apply Sunscreen?

We recommend applying sunscreen 30 minutes before you plan to be in the sun. Though, if you should forget to apply it that soon before, it's okay to apply it once you're outside in the sun. It's better to apply it than never.

How Frequently Should You Apply Sunscreen?

In general, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours, even if it's a cloudy day. You want to particularly pay attention to this on days when you're sweating a great deal or are in the water in a pool, lake, or ocean.

Keep in mind that some sunscreens don't need to be applied that frequently, so make sure you read the instructions on whichever one you choose.

When Can I Apply Sunscreen to My Baby?

Generally, it's not recommended that you apply sunscreen to a baby who's younger than six months of age. In these cases, you'll want to use a stroller with a hood or a hat.

I Have Darker Skin or Tan Well. Is Sunscreen Still Important to Me?

While your risk of skin cancer is less in these cases, it's not completely gone. Anyone of any ethnicity, skin color, etc. can get skin cancer. Therefore, you still need to be on guard when you're out in the sun.

And even if you're going outside just to tan and aren't burning, you can still cause changes in your skin that lead to skin cancer.

At Midtown Dermatology, serving Tulsa, OK, and the neighboring communities, Dr. Anderson, Dr. Rice, and Dr. Guidry treat people with skin cancer and screen for it. From this, we recommend taking steps to protect your skin from the sun. With skin care tips and routine screening, you may be able to prevent it or catch it early.

Book an appointment by calling us at (918) 728-3100.