Lifestyle Challenge: Slather it ON!

Before you jump ahead because you’ve “heard this all before” ….. take a quick sec to read this… your future self (and your skin!) will thank you!

Do you wear sunscreen? Even if you aren’t worried about skyrocketing skin cancer rates, exposure to the sun’s rays can cause premature aging. 🌞🌞🌞

Here are some jaw-dropping statistics: the diagnosis of non-melanoma skin cancers jumped 77 percent between 1994 and 2014, with 90 percent of those cases linked to exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun!

It has also reported that between 2008 and 2018, the number of new melanoma cases diagnosed has increased annually by 53 percent.

With summer just over a month away, this week this week I’m challenging you to up your sun protection game.

I’m challenging you to wear it every day, even on cloudy or rainy days, especially between the peak hours of 10am and 2pm.

Tips on choosing sunscreen: be sure the label says “broad spectrum” so it protects against all types of UV rays, and that it has an SPF of 30 or higher. Any sunscreen with an SPF below 15 must carry a warning that it protects only against sunburn, not skin cancer or skin aging.

Each year the Environmental Working Group (www.ewg.org) publishes a list of safe and effective sunscreens based on your individual needs. The list is constantly being updated so it’s a good resource to check out before you head to the store to pick up a sunscreen (you’ll find a ton of other helpful info on the site, too!).

Personally, my favorite brand is Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Sunscreen Lotion.

Are you in for this week’s challenge!?  Post a pic of your sunscreen that you’re going to use for the challenge in a comment below!

REFERENCE: www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-information/skin-cancer-facts