Katharina Buczek
In fact, it takes less than twenty minutes of unprotected sun exposure for sun damage to occur.
So, be sure to generously apply before you head outside and also check your sunscreen’s expiration date.
Now, you might be thinking, “what expiration date?” If so, you are not alone.
Only forty-eight percent of Americans ever check their sunscreen’s expiration date, but the habit is imperative.
Sunscreen only has a shelf life of between two and three years.
So, if you have an old bottle of Banana Boat or Coppertone lying in your beach bag, it is best to throw it again immediately.
And while some people may think that all of this skin protection is a lot of effort to protect against a bit of sunburn, repeated burns can have severe implications.
According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, “a person’s risk for melanoma doubles if they have had more than five sunburns.”
Moreover, if you ever experienced an extremely painful and blistering sunburn as a child or teenager, your chances have already more than doubled.
So, why risk it? Take a few minutes to apply every day, and be sure to make an appointment for your annual cancer screening.
And if you do, you will be a part of the only thirteen percent of Americans who get their skin checked every single year.
