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- When was the last time you put sunscreen on your ears?
- An SPF of 30 or higher should be applied to the skin daily to protect from harsh UV rays.
- But even those who regularly use sunscreen may be missing a few spots.
- The eyelids, back of the neck, lips, feet and ears are often neglected.
Sunscreen is essential to your skincare routine - whether you're 15 or 50, you should apply a good SPF daily to protect yourself from harsh UV rays.
Applying sunscreen has become part of my routine. And on weekends, when I head out for an early morning walk, which often involves spending some time soaking up the sun on the beach, I lather an SPF 50 cream on my body and face. Yet recently, when I grazed the back of my neck with my hand, I felt a stinging sensation across my skin - sunburn. The truth is, I often neglect this area when applying sunscreen. This got me thinking: where else should I be using an SPF?
Here are 5 spots we often neglect:
Neck and chest: Make sure you're not skipping your neck and chest when applying sunscreen.
Ears: It sounds like an awkward place to apply sunscreen, but your ears are susceptible to skin cancer as well. Protect them from the sun, even if your hair covers it.
Lips: Try a lip balm with an SPF of 30 or higher to help protect your lips from UV rays.
Eyelids: The skin on the eyelids is thin and delicate. Not only is this area susceptible to skin cancer, but sun damage and wrinkles, too. Protect it with a gentle SPF cream, and wear sunglasses when outdoors.
Feet: Unless you wear closed shoes, the tops of your feet will be exposed to the sun, so don't neglect this area when applying sunscreen.
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Contrary to popular belief, SPF should be worn even on cloudy days. That's because UV rays can penetrate clouds and still cause damage to your skin. "Unless you are completely shaded and protected from the sun, you still need sunscreen on cloudy days," Dr Jonathan Leventhal, a Yale Medicine dermatologist, advises.
There is also a misconception that people with dark skin don't need sunscreen. This is false; all skin is susceptible to sun damage, Dr Sapna Patel, assistant professor of Melanoma Oncology, tells the MD Anderson Cancer Centre.
Sunscreen should be reapplied regularly throughout the day, whether you're using an SPF 30 or an SPF 50. "The number refers to how much protection you're getting from the sunscreen, but not how long it lasts," Dr Patel says.
