Fact or Fiction? Sun Safety
How bright are you when it comes to sun protection? Take our quiz to find out.
Jul 03, 2023
Your HealthGood morning, sunshine! Summer’s here and for many of us that means more time outdoors. It’s important to practice sun safety year-round, but it’s especially important in the summer.
Before you leave the house, take our quiz to brush up on your sun smarts and get tips for protecting your skin today and every day.
1. A sunburn is the only way ultraviolet (UV) exposure can increase your risk of getting skin cancer.
Correct
Wrong
fiction. UV exposure doesn’t always cause a sunburn, particularly in people with darker skin tones. While sunburns do increase your risk of skin cancer, any UV exposure over your lifetime, including tanning beds and sun lamps, on any skin type can also increase your risk.
2. You need sun protection even when it’s cloudy outside.
Correct
Wrong
fact. You don’t have to see it to feel it. Even if it’s cloudy outside, you can still get burned by the sun. Note: The sun’s rays are the strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and if the UV index is at 3 or higher, you’re at risk for too much sun exposure.
3. Everyone over 6 months of age should use broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 every day and SPF 30 for days spent outdoors.
Correct
Wrong
fact. It doesn’t matter your skin tone or ethnicity, or even if you always tan or never burn: Daily use of a minimum SPF 15 can reduce your risk of melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 50%.
4. Freckles are caused by sun exposure.
Correct
Wrong
fact. Some freckles are genetic, but other freckles are a result of sun exposure. Freckles come from an overproduction of melanin, which protects your skin from sun damage by absorbing and reflecting light. Freckles are common, particularly on people with lighter skin tones and people with blond or red hair. They’re usually harmless but contact your healthcare provider if you notice any changes in your skin or anything out of the ordinary.
5. Sunscreen does not expire.
Correct
Wrong
fiction. Sunscreen can lose its strength over time. It's best to check the expiration date on the bottle and throw away any sunscreens that are past the expiration date. If the bottle doesn't have a date when you buy it, write the date you bought it on the bottle and throw it away after three years or if the color or consistency changes.
6. You should apply a chemical sunscreen 15-30 minutes before going outside.
Correct
Wrong
fact. Chemical sunscreens need time to absorb into your skin. Once they do, they absorb the UV light and turn it into non-damaging heat. Physical sunscreen, like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, on the other hand, protects you by deflecting the sun’s rays and works right away (can also leave a chalky white appearance on the skin).
7. “Waterproof” sunscreen won’t wash off in the pool or ocean.
Correct
Wrong
fiction. There is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen. Water-resistant sunscreen tells you the amount of time you will have protection while entering and exiting any water. For example, if the bottle claims 40-minute resistance, you need to reapply every 40 minutes. If you towel off in between, you also need to reapply.
8. Broad-spectrum sunscreen protects you against both UVA and UVB, the two types of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
Correct
Wrong
fact. All sunscreen protects you from sunburns, but only broad-spectrum sunscreen above SPF 15 protects you from both forms of UV rays: UVA (the ones that penetrate deep and cause aging) and UVB (the ones that cause skin cancer).
9. You should take a cold shower after getting a sunburn.
Correct
Wrong
fact. To help treat a sunburn, take cool showers or baths with baking soda, gently pat dry and follow up with an aloe vera-based moisturizer. You may also want to take a pain reliever (ibuprofen, acetaminophen) for any swelling or pain associated with sunburn. After the burn starts to itch and/or peel, you can apply a 1% over-the-counter hydrocortisone or take an oral antihistamine. A sunburn can also cause you to get dehydrated, so drink extra fluid for the next day or so.
10. People with darker skin tones don’t need sunblock.
Correct
Wrong
fiction. The rules of sunscreen apply to everyone. While melanoma is more common among lighter-skinned people, people of any skin tone or color can get melanoma.
Read: The ABCDEs of Spotting Melanoma >>
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