With a myriad of new sunscreens hitting store shelves this summer, and the barrage of marketing hype over ingredients such as Mexoryl and Helioplex, patients are overwhelmed over which sunscreens to buy.

Here are some FAQs that may help you navigate those store shelves :

What is SPF?

The SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, is a numerical ratio based on the time skin would normally take to burn without a sunscreen. For example, if your skin burns in 20 minutes, an SPF of 10 would protect your skin 10 times longer, or for 200 minutes. However, while this might sound like enough protection, most experts recommend that you always use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher.

Sunscreens with higher SPFs may give people a false sense of security, or a license to spend even longer time out in the sun. A sunscreen should be used to protect your skin from normal sun exposure during the day. it is not meant for you to abuse your skin even more. Remember, studies show sunscreens with high SPF numbers only give minimal extra benefits, but can also cause more irritation to your skin. It is more important to choose a sunscreen that you like and feels good on your skin, rather than choosing a heavy duty SPF 60 product that feels thick and sticky. Regardless of SPF 15 or SPF 60, all sunscreens should be reapplied every 2 to 3 hours.

What ingredients should I look for in a sunscreen?

When selecting a sunscreen, look for products labeled “broad-spectrum UVA and UVB” protection. The package should include a list of active ingredients. Look for physical sunblocks, such as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. These ingredients work by actually deflecting sunlight away from your skin, and are much more effective sun protection than chemical sunblocks, such as Avobenzone, octocrylene, and oxybenzone.

How thick should I apply my sunscreen?

If you are wearing a bikini or swimming trunks, you will need to apply at least 1 ¼ ounces of sunscreen (a little more than a shot glass) to effectively protect all exposed skin. Spread on sunscreen at least ½ millimeter thick, and let it absorb into your skin at least 30 minutes before going outdoors. Also remember to reapply every 2-3 hours.

Do I have to wear sunscreen on a cloudy day?

Even on a cloudy day, roughly 80% of the sun’s UV rays pass through the clouds. In addition to using sunscreen, it is highly recommended that you wear a hat, a light long sleeved shirt to protect your arms, and sunglasses while outdoors. Also remember to apply sunscreen to your ears, neck and upper chest (décolleté). The latter are often-overlooked areas in terms of sun protection, but are equally susceptible to photoaging, as well as skin cancer.

Photoaging is a type of skin aging caused by a lifetime of sun exposure— and that’s not just the few days you spend at the beach every summer. Walking your dog, driving to work, and sitting in front of a sunny window are all examples of the type of sun exposure that you might not think of protecting yourself against. But over the years they can add up to wrinkling, pigmentation, and other signs of skin aging, as well as skin cancer.

It is important to understand that sun exposure, or ultraviolet radiation, consists of three types of wavelengths: UVA, UVB and UVC.

UVA rays maintain their intensity throughout the year. They penetrate more deeply into the skin’s layers than UVB rays, causing damage deeper within the skin’s dermis. Since they do not cause sunburn, people who visit tanning salons that use only UVA do not get the physical warning that they are harming their skin, and increasing their chances of skin cancer. It is important to know that while UVA rays do not burn the outside of the skin, they are the primary contributors to Squamous Cell Carcinomas, other skin cancers, as well premature skin aging, such as wrinkling and age spots.

UVB rays do not penetrate as deeply into the skin as UVA rays do, and consequently cause more damage to the outer epidermis. They are more intense during the summer, as well as at higher altitudes and areas closer to the Equator. These are the rays that give you Basal Cell Carcinomas, as well as other skin cancers.

UVC rays are the strongest rays of all and the most dangerous, but they are normally filtered out by the Ozone Layer and do not reach Earth.

Remember to choose a sunscreen that provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection, with a minimum SPF 15. Apply your sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outdoors, and re-apply it every 2 to 3 hours, regardless whether it is SPF 15 or SPF 50. Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the most important things you can do to keep your skin looking younger, longer.

kaplanMD is a revolutionary line of skincare products formulated with over 10 active ingredients per product, to prevent and treat all 3 types of skin aging, in one concise and synergistic line.

Skin Care Products, Skin Care Treatment Beverly Hills

Most people know that using sunscreen protection is essential for healthy summer skin, but there are other important steps that you should take to make sure that you look your best this summer. Below are my top 10 tips:

1. Reduce Appearance of Cellulite with Injectable Fillers I usually see an increase in cosmetic procedures pre-summer for things like injectable fillers (Restylane, Juvederm, Radiesse, Sculptra) and Botox. This only makes sense because Spring/Summer beauty trends lean toward natural looks and beautiful skin. Injectable fillers are a great way to enhance certain features on your face, and even help correct dimples caused by liposuction or irregular distribution of cellulite. If done correctly by an experienced dermatologist, your results should look very natural.
2. Protect Your Lips! Always apply sunscreen or a lip balm with a minimum SPF 15 to your lips BEFORE applying your lip-gloss/lipstick. Many lip products contain castor oils and petroleum jelly. These oils coat the lip and actually increase the amount of sunlight that penetrates the skin on your lips.  This will increase the lip wrinkles and the risk of skin cancer on your lips.
3. Know your SPF. Some things most people don’t know about Sunscreen:
4. The Latest in Laser Hair Removal. A popular pre-spring/pre-summer procedure I perform in my office is laser hair removal in the underarm and bikini areas of women and backs for men. Remember, it takes anywhere from 2 to 5 treatments for the best results, so begin your treatments early. To make an online appointment, please visit Skindoc.net.



5. Reduce Ingrown Hairs. To get rid of unsightly shaving bumps or ingrown hairs in the bikini area, your dermatologist can inject the area with a dilute anti-inflammatory. The inflammation of the pimple will recede within a 1 to 2 days.
6. Botox Can Reduce Sweating. For women who love wearing tank tops but are concerned about underarm sweating, know that Botox® has been FDA approved to treat excess underarm sweating, also called hyperhydrosis.  It is very effective, and lasts approximately 8 months. For more information, visit Skindoc.net.
7. Remove Spider Veins. Again, with spring/summer beauty trends leaning toward au natural make-up and more time in the sun, consider getting laser vein removal for those pesky red spider veins around the corners of your nose. There is virtually no down time and the results are immediate.
8. Remove Varicose Veins. New lasers, as well as the standard sclerotherapy, can treat unsightly spider and varicose veins on your legs. Results are immediate and long lasting.
9. Scrub Away. How to get the beautiful after winter, summer skin glow? Exfoliate with a mild scrub 2 to 3 times a week. I recommend scrubs that contain date seed power or pineapple and papaya enzymes. These are all natural, botanical ingredients that are mild yet effective.
10. Use A Clay Mask. Increased humidity and high temperatures in the summer lead us to sweat more, and cause more oil and buildup on our face. To refine skin, remove dead skin cells, and tighten pores, I recommend using a clay mask 1 or 2 times a week. I do not recommend exfoliating and using a scrub on the same day, as this may dry out your skin.

It should be applied 30 minutes before you go out in the sun to give the product time to penetrate your skin. If you apply sunscreen while you are outside in the sun, you are basically exposing your skin to UV radiation for the first 30 minutes.
For the absolute highest sun protection, use a sunscreen that contains physical sunscreens such as titanium dioxide and/or zinc oxide. These particles lay on top of your skin and actually deflect light away from your skin.  The higher concentrations work better at blocking the sun, but also can leave a slight residue discoloration on the skin.  This is particularly an issue for people who want to wear sunscreen on their face, but don’t like the white residue or skin discoloration. Try the kaplanMD Day Cream SPF 15 (www.kaplanMD.com), which contains a highly micronized titanium dioxide, along with 9 other active ingredients. An anti-wrinkle cream, moisturizer, and SPF 15 all in one, the kaplanMD Day Cream SPF 15 leaves no messy white residue while providing long-lasting sun protection.
Most people don’t apply enough sunscreen. To get the full benefit of a sunscreen, it must be applied liberally.
Use at least an SPF 15.  Higher concentrations give only marginal improvement in sun protection, but can also irritate your skin.
Re-apply your sunscreen every 3 hours.  There is no such thing as a water-proof sunscreen.  Some are water-resistant, but you should still re-apply your sunscreen often.
Don’t forget to wear a hat to protect your scalp (even for women) and sunglasses to protect your eyes.

Dr. Stuart Kaplan has been in private practice in Beverly Hills for more than 20 years, as well as an Assistant Clinical Professor at UCLA Medical Center and Attending Physician for Skin Cancer Surgery at the Wadsworth VA for more than 18 years. For more information, please visit Skindoc.net.