Skin Care Tip: How to minimize sun damage

Choose a sunscreen with both UVA and UVB filters since only products with this distinction give you enough protection against two types of ultraviolet light: UVB (the shorter "burning" rays) are implicated in the development of skin cancers because they cause DNA changes that lead to uncontrolled growth of skin cells; and UVA, (the longer-wave so-called aging rays), may weaken immune-system cells of the skin and only recently have been recognized as a factor in the development of skin cancer. A sunscreen's SPF is based only on its ability to block sunburn, mainly caused by UVB. There are currently no standard requirements for describing UVA protection. However, all SPF 15 or higher sunscreens also provide some protection against UVA. When applying sunblock, concentrate on areas that burn easiest, i.e. nose, heck and shoulders. Also don't forget areas like backs of knees and hands, and tops of feet, which are often neglected.