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Sun Protection: Dermatology Approved Apparel, Hats, and SPF

Sun Protection: Dermatology Approved Apparel, Hats, and SPF
Picture of Sydney, a local Dothan dermatologist, standing in front of a desk smiling wearing a white dress and pink earrings.

Hi there! My name is Sydney, and I'm a board-certified PA (Physician Assistant) trained in dermatology. I practice and care for patients in Dothan, AL. I'm also passionate about skincare, and I'm here to help you protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays.


Skincare and skin cancer treatment and prevention are my specialty, so I’m a lover of all things sun protection. I’ve shopped at Eagle Eye for years, and it is one of my favorite places to shop for sun protection both for myself and my family.


One of the greatest joys of being outdoors is feeling the warmth of the sun on your skin.
(I grew up going to the beach or lake most weekends and still do as an adult, so I get it!) The not-great news is the rays of the sun are probably doing you more harm than good thanks to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.


The good news is we’re going to dive into the role sunscreen and SPF-rated clothing play in making it easy to defend your skin from a full day in the sun.


Below are a few tips:


Tip #1 Wear sunscreen every day, even on cloudy days. 


Picture of three children's hands holding Sun Bum kids sun screen products with 50 SPF.


Sunscreen acts as a powerful armor that helps shield your skin from the relentless UV rays. It makes a protective barrier that can both deflect and absorb harmful radiation. This prevents it from penetrating deep into the layers of your skin. When you wear sunscreen regularly, you help protect yourself against skin cancer, premature aging, sunburn, and other very harmful effects that are caused by prolonged sun exposure. 


Tip #2 Wear protective clothing.  

 

This tip is the main secret to easily enjoying the sun’s warmth without damaging your skin and causing both cosmetic and medical conditions.  

 

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of fabric must have a score of at least 30 in order to qualify for their recommendation. UPF protection is similar to SPF protection. SPF only deals with a sunscreen's effectiveness against UVB rays. UPF tests a fabric's effectiveness of filtering both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light. Overall, UPF protection helps give you greater control over your amount of UV exposure.


If you’re wondering, on the scale of things, a UPF rating of 30-49 offers good protection while any UPF rating 50+ is excellent.


It’s similar to SPF (Sun Protection Factor), the rating system used for sunscreen products. When you shop, things are relatively simple: Look for a higher UPF rating number and greater skin coverage in order to get better sun protection. 


Tip #3 Avoid the sun during peak hours.


The sun's UV rays are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm. Avoid being outdoors during these hours if possible. If you're going to be outdoors, make it a habit to always have a wide-brimmed hat that covers your ears, sunglasses, and a shade plan of UPF clothing or, better, a structure. These simple forethoughts will help reduce your exposure to UV rays.

 

Tip #4 Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more often if you're sweating or swimming.  


Boy on the beach squeezing some Sun Bum kids 50 SPF sun screen on his hands.


Sunscreen can wear off, so it's important to reapply it regularly. I also like to remind patients we’re not super great at applying sunscreen effectively so reapplying is the insurance to make sure our skin doesn’t burn, which greatly increases our risk of skin cancer including melanoma. 


There of course are plenty of forms that sunscreen can come in. Creams, lotions, sprays, and sticks, you name it, there is probably a version of it out there. 


Figuring out which sunscreen is best for your skin type isn’t quite as complicated as you may think. But first, if you don’t know your skin type - you should take my FREE skincare quiz to find out! It's so important to consider your skin type when you are choosing products that are going to be on your skin.  


There’s a lot more I could talk about here when it comes to choosing the right sunscreen and recommending products, so I wrote it all here so you can read it for yourself.  

 

Tip #5 Don’t neglect your lips or eyes! 


While it may seem like sunscreen will help in all areas, don’t neglect other parts of your body! For example, your eyes! Sunglasses with polarized lenses can help protect your eyes from UV rays. Some sunglasses will even provide this protection while also reducing glare.  

 

Another thing to remember: your lips! The last thing you want is water-blistered lips. Talk about no fun. To prevent this, there are plenty of lip balms that include SPF protection. I recommend wearing them daily since skin cancer is from cumulative sun exposure and precancerous and cancerous lesions on the lips are known to be stubborn to treat- also very uncomfortable. In this case, prevention is 100% the best treatment.  


By following these tips, you can help protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. And remember, the best sunscreen is the one you'll use! So, find a sunscreen that you like and that fits into your lifestyle, and make it a part of your daily routine. 

 

Here are a few of my favorite sunscreens and sun-protective apparel: 


Just to name a few. But Eagle Eye literally has hundreds of options for UPF clothing for your entire family!



Don’t worry, you don’t have to venture far to get the sun protection you need this summer. You can even have it delivered to your doorstep! 

 

Shop Eagle Eye’s selection of sunscreen and SPF rated clothing before you enjoy your fun in the sun.  Your skin deserves the ultimate protection!

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