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#1. Mistake: Applying sunscreen only to the face.
How To Avoid: Sunscreen should be applied to all sun-exposed skin. All our skin is at risk for aging and sun damage, and it’s very difficult to undo the damage later!
#2 Mistake: Using too little sunscreen.
How to Avoid: Apply your sunscreen generously. For the average adult, it takes about a shot glass full of sunscreen to cover the body.
#3 Mistake: Skipping sunscreen when it is cloudy outside.
How To Avoid: Apply sunscreen anyway! Clouds only block about 20% of the sun’s rays.
#4 Mistake: Using an old bottle of sunscreen.
How To Avoid: Always check the expiration date before use! Expired sunscreen can lose efficacy and may cause skin irritation.
#5 Mistake: Forgetting to reapply your sunscreen.
How To Avoid: Sunscreen should be reapplied every 2 hours at a minimum, after toweling off, or according to the water-resistant guideline on the bottle (it may say water resistant for 40 or 80 minutes).
#6 Mistake: Relying on sunscreen alone for sun protection.
How To Avoid: No sunscreen can block 100% of the sun’s rays. It’s also important to seek shade (especially at the peak sun of the day, between 10am-2pm), and wear protective clothing, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses with UV protection.
I hope this shortlist helps you protect yourself and your loved ones through all seasons. Please send any questions you may have to [email protected]
Megan Couvillion, MD
Dr. Couvillion has been practicing dermatology since 2017. A graduate of Louisiana State University School of Medicine, she completed her internship in internal medicine and her dermatology residency training at Tulane University where she served as Chief Resident. Before starting medical school she also received a Masters of Science in Cell and Molecular Biology from Tulane University. She is certified by the American Board of Dermatology and a Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She is a member of the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, the Houston Dermatological Society, and the Women’s Dermatologic Society. She was named by Texas Monthly as one of their Rising Stars for 2019.
Check out Dr. Couvillion’s Instagram Profile here.