Recently, we polled our Steering Your Health fans and asked them, "How often do you apply sunscreen when you are driving?" Over half of the respondents answered "Never." The results were surprising, considering our June 13 story about a truck driver and the dramatic effects of the sun on his face, especially the left side of his face.
Read it again: Truckers Face Shows Effects of the Sun
Knowing that most respondents do not wear sunscreen while driving, or during other outdoor activities, we would like to share some resources and information to encourage drivers to apply sunscreen and make it part of their daily routine.
The American Academy of Dermatology is a great resource for learning how to protect all of your skin from the sun, not just the skin on your face.
Q. Who needs sunscreen?
- Everyone. People of all skin colors get skin cancer. More than 3.5 million skin cancers in more than 2 million people are diagnosed annually.1
- Many of these skin cancers could have been prevented with protection from the sun’s rays.
Q. When should I use sunscreen?
- Every day. The sun emits harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays year round.
- Even on cloudy days, harmful UV rays can penetrate your skin.
- On a cloudy day, up to 80 percent of the sun’s UV rays can pass through the clouds.
- Snow and sand increase the need for sunscreen.
- Snow reflects 80 percent of the sun’s rays, and sand reflects 25 percent of the sun’s rays.
Q.What sunscreen should I use?
- The American Academy of Dermatology recommends everyone use sunscreen that offers the following:
- Broad-spectrum protection (protects against UVA and UVB rays).
- Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 30 or greater.
- Water resistance.
- A sunscreen that offers the above helps to protect your skin from sunburn, early skin aging, and skin cancer. However, sunscreen alone cannot fully protect you. Dermatologists also recommend that you seek shade when your shadow is shorter than you are and protect your skin by wearing long sleeves, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses whenever possible.
Read more FAQ's
It's important to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays while you: enjoy the beach, go for a walk on a gray day, ski down a slope, and even drive! There are lots of products out there. Find the one or two that are compatible with your skin and your wallet.
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