Do you have a question about skincare? Check out the list of questions below that dermatologists are frequently asked.
Skin Types
Skin Conditions
Cosmetic Treatments and Procedures
Sun Protection
Lifestyle
PURPOSE®
sensitive skin care products
Sun Protection
One in five Americans will develop skin cancer during his or her lifetime and it is one of the few cancers where the cause is known - overexposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States with more than 1 million new cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year. It is important to use a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 every day.
What is broad spectrum protection? Does PURPOSE® protect against UVA and UVB rays?
A broad-spectrum sunscreen helps protect your skin from both UVA and UVB rays. UVB rays cause sunburns and UVA rays cause tanning. UVA rays are believed to be responsible for photoaging - the damage that occurs to the skin from many years of exposure to the sun. Both rays may contribute to the risk of developing skin cancer.
Most sunscreen products available in the past were developed to prevent sunburns by blocking UVB rays. Fewer sunscreen products have been equally successful in blocking UVA rays. PURPOSE® Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15 is a light, water-based formula which filters both UVA and UVB rays and provides the daily SPF 15 protection recommended by dermatologists. PURPOSE® Dual Treatment Moisture Lotion with SPF 15 is also hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic (won't clog pores), fragrance-free and dye-free.
In addition to using sunscreen everyday, dermatologists also recommend:
- Avoiding mid-day sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Wearing wide-brimmed hats, long sleeved shirts and pants to protect from the sun's rays
- Using a generous amount of sunscreen and reapplying it frequently (every 2-3 hours)
- Avoid tanning beds
What are the early signs of skin cancer? How can I protect myself?
Skin cancer appears as a change in the skin, such as a growth, an irritation or sore that does not heal, or change in a wart or mole. Skin cancer usually affects the head, neck, back, chest, or shoulders. While prevention is your best defense against skin cancer, if a melanoma should develop, it is almost always curable with early detection. Check your skin regularly for changes or new lesions. It is important to see your dermatologist at least once a year for a thorough checkup.
Some suggested behaviors include:
- Stay out of the sun during the peak hours of UV radiation, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Wear protective clothing, wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses.
- Wear sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher summer and winter, on both cloudy and clear days.
- Apply sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB to all exposed skin, including lips, ears, back of hands, and neck. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before going in the sun, and reapply it every 2 hours and after swimming, exercising, or sweating.
- Be careful when you are on sand, snow, or water, because these surfaces can reflect 85% of the sun's rays.
- Avoid artificial sources of UVA radiation, including sunlamps and tanning booths: They also can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer.