Men, Sunscreen & Skin Cancer

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Think you know how to use sunscreen? Think again.

A new study indicates that a full two-thirds of us who think we know what we are doing are actually getting quietly cooked. (Perhaps that's why 3.5 million cases of basel and squamous skin are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.)

For example, the majority of Americans don't wear protective clothing – long-sleeved shirts and pants – or apply sunscreen to all exposed areas, not just face and arms. We also should be applying sunscreen every time we go outside, even on cloudy days. Up to 80 percent of the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays can reach your skin even when it is hiding behind clouds.

Men, it turns out, are particularly remiss in their sunscreen application habits.

"Research has shown that women are more likely than men to use sunscreen, but it's vital that men use it, too," said Dr. Darrell Rigel, a clinical professor in the department of dermatology at New York University.

"Men over 50 have a higher risk than the general population of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, and UV exposure is the most preventable skin cancer risk factor, so it's important for men of all ages to protect themselves from the sun's harmful rays by seeking shade, wearing protective clothing and applying sunscreen," Rigel said.

The type of sunscreen men choose matters as well. Rigel offers the following advice:

  • Choose a sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher. A sunscreen with SPF 30 blocks 97 percent of the sun's UVB rays.
  • Look for the words "broad spectrum." This means the sunscreen protects against both UVA rays (which cause premature skin aging) and UVB rays (which cause sunburn). Both types of UV rays can lead to skin cancer.
  • Look for the words "water resistant." Water-resistant sunscreens can provide protection for wet or sweaty skin for 40 or 80 minutes. All sunscreens should be reapplied every two hours, or after swimming or sweating.
  • For sensitive skin, choose a sunscreen with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. People with sensitive skin also should avoid sunscreens that contain fragrance, oils and para-aminobenzoic acid, also known as PABA.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.