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4 Must-Follow Sun Protection Tips You May Not Have Heard Before

We're laying down some lesser-known sun protection rules.
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Get Yourself an SPF Lip Balm
Like the eye area, many people forget to apply sunscreen to their lips. Dr. Sobel says, "UV rays can break down collagen on your lips to thin them out and cause premature wrinkling. Even worse, UV rays can lead to sun burns and skin cancer. One sun burn increases your risk of getting skin cancer on your lips." Buy a couple tubes of lip balm with SPF and keep them in your purse, in your beach bag, at your desk, and by the front door.

Image via Hoxton/Sam Edwards/Getty

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Wear a Product That Also Protects Against Infrared/Blue Light
Wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays is very important. If you can, though, go the extra mile to find a sunscreen that also protects against blue light, which is also referred to as infrared heat.

"Infrared heat which comes from the sun as well as our environment including cellular phones, ceiling lights, computer screens, and even the stove," says Dr. Rita Linkner, a board-certified dermatologist at NYC's Spring Street Dermatology. "We are now learning that [this form of light] is responsible for discoloring the skin, causing melasma, and weakening the skin's infrastructure."

Image via Imaxtree

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Throw on Some UPF Clothing
Though we all know we're supposed to slather on a broad-spectrum SPF 30 and reapply every two hours, the truth is that we're not all as good at this as we'd like to be.

"Enter the age of sun protective clothing," says Dr. Steven Mandrea, a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of Lakeview Dermatology in Chicago. "Mainstream brands such as Athleta, Lily Pulitzer, Land's End, and J. Crew have entered the market with stylish bathing suits, cover-ups, swim shirts, hats, and more that offer added sun protection. The best fabrics have an ultraviolet protective factor (UPF) of 50 and are a great supplement to sunscreen."

Image via Imaxtree

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Protect Your Scalp from the Sun
Another area of the body that's prone to sunscreen but often gets overlooked is our scalp. And think about it — it's just a sitting duck for the sun's harmful rays.

"The scalp is as susceptible to sun damage as the rest of your skin, and because it's covered by your hair, you're less likely to notice any suspicious moles," recommends Dr. Sobel. "If you part your hair or you're wearing any hair style that exposes your scalp, use a spray sunscreen to protect your scalp." You can also wear hats (UPF hats are ideal for extended outdoor exposure), use a sun umbrella, and try to spend as much time in the shade as possible.

Image via Imaxtree

BY WENDY ROSE GOULD | JUL 1, 2019 | SHARES
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