5 Spots Commonly Missed
When Applying Sunscreen

We all know the feeling of a “patch” sunburn. It feels like your skin’s been ironed.

The smallest movement of the affected area -- even light contact with clothing -- brings on a painful reminder: the sun is your skin’s worst enemy.

There is nothing – nothing! – more important for your skin regimen than applying sunscreen. It’s the single most essential product for preventing the breakdown of DNA, elastin and collagen.

Here are the 5 areas most people miss when applying sunscreen:

1.Scalp

Balding men find out the hard way how important it is to wear a hat or sunscreen.

People blessed with hair may think their head is protected, but it's not. If you're not wearing a hat (and especially if you’re sporting braids), you need to apply sunscreen to your scalp.

While sunscreen in the hair may connote “bad hair day” for most people, a spray sunscreen will usually leave your coif intact.

According to the Archives of Dermatology, melanoma on the scalp and the neck results in much quicker death than melanoma elsewhere on the body.

2. Tops of the Feet

In a 2004 study, volunteers at a beach were provided with sunscreen and evaluated on how well they used it. Participants rarely applied the product to the tops of their feet. When asked why, half said they didn't want sand to stick to their feet.

While sticky feet may feel unpleasant, our feet are just as at risk for skin cancer as the rest of our body. Lessen your risk for skin cancer and give your feet the protection they deserve.

3. Hands

If you're headed out for the golf course or garden, you may wear gloves at first. When you remove them, the last thing you’re thinking about is sunscreen. So your hands are exposed while the rest of your body is sunscreen-protected.

No wonder hands begin looking old and unsightly before the rest of our bodies! Age spots often appear first on the tops of the hands, and UV rays can damage the fingernails.

4. Ears

Men with short hair or women who wear their hair up are particularly at risk for ear burn. The ear has a pretty complicated structure, with lots of crevices and grooves. So after you’ve applied enough sunscreen to your face, slow down and give the delicate parts of your ears the attention they deserve.

Skin cancer cells appear on all parts of the ear, including in the rims and bowls.

5. Behind the Knees

If you apply sunscreen while you're sitting down, it’s easy to pass over the crease at the back of the knee. A burn behind the knee makes it uncomfortable to walk, so give this part of the leg the attention it deserves.

Always apply sunscreen 20 minutes before going outdoors. Sunscreen needs to penetrate skin to be effective.

You Only Have One Body

I want you to enjoy these final high summer days, but I also want you to be sure to cover your body thoroughly with an SPF30+ sunscreen. Be aware of these 5 likely-to-miss spots. If you have children in your care, be especially rigorous with them. Their thinner, more delicate skin is more prone to damage from the sun’s rays.

If, after Labor Day, you find your skin has taken a toll over the summer, don’t despair. We have treatments (like intense-pulsed light) that will reverse what the sun has done.

However, it’s always better to avoid the damage in the first place.

By the way, feel free to forward this article to your family and friends.