Social Distancing and Increased Sun Exposure: A Resource For Patients

Use the following tips to protect yourself from skin cancer during the pandemic.

Figure 1. Diagram showing the necessary ingredients for skin protection and skin cancer prevention.

General Tips¹

• Seek shade to avoid direct sun exposure when possible
• Avoid outdoor activities between 10 am to 2 pm when the sun’s rays are most intense
• Take extra care whenever near water, snow, and sand as these mediums reflect the sunlight and increase risk of sunburn

Sun Protective Clothing¹

• Wear light-weight, long-sleeved shirts and pants to minimize exposed skin
• Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect your scalp and face

Choosing a Sunscreen¹

• Choose broad-spectrum (protects against UVA and UVB) and water-resistant sunscreen
• Look for a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher
• Choose either physical sunscreen, also known as sunblock, or chemical sunscreen (further explained in the diagram below)
• Use whichever type is best for you (lotion, cream, gel, ointment, wax stick, spray)
• Consider that the safety and usefulness of sunscreen sprays is uncertain
• Keep sunscreen sprays away from heat/flames
• Dispose of sunscreen if color or consistency has changed, as it is likely expired
• Use a lip balm with SPF 30 or higher to protect your lips

Figure 2. Venn diagram highlighting the differences between physical and chemical sunscreen. The mechanism of each sunscreen type is illustrated at the bottom of the Venn diagram.

Applying Sunscreen¹

• Use sunscreen anytime outside
• Apply to dry skin 15 minutes before sun exposure
• Reapply every 2 hours OR after water exposure/sweating
• Apply to all areas of the body not covered by clothing
• Use about 1 fluid ounce (2 tablespoons) of sunscreen over entire body for adults and less for children
• If using sunscreen spray, avoid breathing it in and do not spray it directly on the face

Sun Protection in Young Children¹

• Avoid sunscreen use in children under 6 months of age
• Protect children under 6 months of age from the sun with clothing and shade
• Choose a physical sunscreen for young children who are at least 6 months of age

Treating Sunburn²

• Attend to the sunburn immediately and avoid further sun-exposure
• Take a cool bath/shower and pat the skin dry. Apply moisturizer while the skin is slightly wet. Choose a moisturizer that has aloe vera or soy.
• Apply over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream
• Take an over-the-counter pain reliever (unless your doctor has informed you not to do so)
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water
• Avoid touching/rupturing blisters

—Developed by Amylee Martin, BS, Jeffrey Liu, BS, Akshitha Thatiparthi, BS, and Jashin J. Wu, MD
Reprinted from Practical Dermatology®

1. J Allergy Clin Immunol Pract. 2020;8(7):2152-2155.

2. Int J Mol Sci. 2013;14(6):12222-12248.