Local dermatologist talks about protection against the sun

Dr. Kelly Hubbard is a Cache Valley Dermatologist who emphasizes at every opportunity the need to moisturize the skin and protect it from the sun’s rays with good sunscreens.

“Sunscreens block out UVB and UVA rays,” said Dr. Hubbard. “When you see the numbers on sunscreens, that refers to UVB protection. An easy way to remember that is ‘B’ for burning. That tells you how well it protects you from sunburn.

“UVA rays are also very important. You can think of ‘A’ for aging; they cause the wrinkles and a lot of the skin damage that we see in older people.”

He said both of these rays are responsible for skin cancers and it is important to protect for both.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends sunscreen with a 30 SPF or higher.

“Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 will block about 97 percent of UVB rays, if used properly. As you move to numbers above 30, you gradually get that last three percent.”

He said most people do not apply enough sunscreen to get the full effect of the SPF number on the label. He said research has revealed most people put only a half to a fourth of the sunscreen that is required.

“It’s true that most of us don’t slather it on quite as thick as we need to in order to get the protection we need.”

Dr. Hubbard said if we have to be out in the midday sun it is wise to use not only sunscreens but sun protective clothing.

“A ball cap is good but something with a brim on the side protects us a lot better. A lot of sun protective clothing is very light and breathable, but not hot, like a long sleeve shirt with a higher collar.”

He said it is verified that tanning beds do cause skin cancer.

“We certainly encourage people to avoid those. It is definitely a risk and I unfortunately have had to have too many sad conversations with people who have had skin cancers because of tanning beds.”

Statistics indicate if someone has had three or more blistering sunburns in their life it statistically increases their risk of Melanoma by eight times more than someone who has not had that.

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