Don't forget the sunscreen even on cloudy days.
Test Your Skin Protection Skills with this Quick Quiz
Submitted by LaKisha Miller, Baylor Medical Center Grapevine
Do youbrhave what it takes to safeguard your skin from harmful ultraviolent rays? Seebrhow your answers stack up against our expert, Isaac Perez, MD, a dermatologistbron the medical staff at Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine.
1. brWhatbrlevel of SPF do experts recommend?
a. 15
b. 30
c. 45
B. ThebrAmerican Academy of Dermatology and Skin Cancer Foundation raised thebrrecommendation from 15 SPF (sun protection factor) to 30 SPF or higher, becausebrpeople don't apply enough sunscreen. Look for “broad-spectrum” coverage (withbrUVA and UVB protection), and apply at least 1 ounce on your face, arms andbrlegs, and add another ounce if you're in a bathing suit on your chest and back,brDr. Perez says.
2. brYoubrcan get sunburned when it's cloudy?
a. True
b. False
TRUE.br“Depending on how thick the clouds are, 80 percent of the sun's UV rays canbrcome through—even in the wintertime,” Dr. Perez says. “That's why it's sobrimportant to wear sunscreen even if it's not sunny.”
3. brWhatbrare the most common sunscreen mistakes?
a. Applying too much sunscreen.
b. Neglecting key areas, such as thebrears and neck.
c. Putting sunscreen on after you'rebroutside.
B and C.br“I find that patients will frequently miss their lips, ears, neck and tops ofbrtheir feet,” says Dr. Perez. And most sunscreens need to be applied 15 minutesbrbefore you go outside to provide protection. “Only titanium dioxide and zincbroxide are effective immediately,” he says.
4. brYoubrcan get skin cancer even if you don't spend a lot of time in the sun.
a. True
b. False
TRUE.brWhile basal and squamous cell cancers are directly linked to UV exposure,brmelanoma is different. “There's a genetic component that puts you at a higherbrrisk for developing it, or if you have many, many moles—regardless of any sunbrexposure,” Dr. Perez says. “That's why we encourage patients to do full-bodybrself-skin checks regularly and to see a dermatologist if they have a doubtbrabout a spot.”
5. brTanningbrbeds are a safe way to get vitamin D.
a. True
b. False
FALSE.br“Tanning beds typically use UVA bulbs, and an easy way to remember what UVAbrdoes is to think that the ‘A' stands for aging. It's going to cause wrinkles,brand it's going to increase your risk for skin cancer, too,” Dr. Perez says.br“UVB rays—in which the ‘B' stands for burn—are the rays that are used to makebrvitamin D in your body.” And remember: You can get your D from dietary sourcesbrlike milk or by taking a supplement.
See abrSuspicious Spot?
Don'tbrwait to get it checked. Early prevention is the key to treating skin cancer.brVisit Baylor Health – Grapevine for a physician referral.
AboutbrBaylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine
Baylor Regional Medical Center atbrGrapevine is a full-service, fully-accredited not-for-profit hospital servingbrresidents in more than 20 cities throughout the Dallas/Fort Worth region.brFocused on being the best place to give and receive quality, safe andbrcompassionate care, Baylor Grapevine works to lead the transformation of healthbrcare. The 314-bed hospital offers advanced medical services for cardiovascularbrservices, women's services, oncology, neurology, spine care, orthopedics,brdiagnostic imaging, neonatal intensive care, intensive and emergency care.
AboutbrBaylor Health Care System
Baylor Health Care System is abrnot-for-profit, faith-based supporting organization providing services to abrnetwork of acute care hospitals and related health care entities that providebrpatient care, medical education, research and community service. Baylorbrrecorded more than 2.8 million patient encounters, $4.1 billion in totalbroperating revenue, $5.3 billion in total assets and $502 million in communitybrbenefit in fiscal year 2011 (as reported to the Texas Department of StatebrHealth Services). Baylor's network of more than 300 access pointsbrincludes 30 owned/operated/ ventured/affiliated hospitals; joint venturedbrambulatory surgical centers; satellite outpatient locations; seniorbrcenters and more than 190 HealthTexas Provider Network physician clinics.