• It’s Skin Cancer Awareness Month: New FDA Guidelines for Sunscreen

    New FDA guidelines make you check your sunscreen twice! What are they saying? Make sure the label says broad spectrum–which means that it protects against UVA and UVB rays evenly, make sure it has at least an SPF of 15 or higher (50 will now be the highest) since there is no research that proves an SPF greater than 50 will work more efficiently. What else?  Sunscreens must say “water resistant”, not  “waterproof.”

    L’Oreal Paris Dermatologist, Dr. Gervaise Gerstner  shares her top tips for protecting yourself against skin cancer.

    1–Choose a sunscreen  with SPF 30 or 50 and apply it every 2 hours. Use a timer or app on your phone to remind you to reapply!

    2–Use a shot glass full of sunblock to ensure you’re wearing enough.

    3–If you have children—let them have some fun–dab a dollop on a makeup brush and have them go to town on their own.

    4–See your derm yearly for skin cancer screenings.

    5–Stay out of the sun from 10am-4pm, when sun is the strongest.

    6–Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses if you do have to venture out.