Sunscreen with no expiration date usually remains effective up to three years after it is manufactured. — TNS
May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, which makes this a good time to check the expiration date on your sunscreen.
Too much sun can be dangerous as exposure to UV (ultraviolet) radiation from the sun damages your skin.
Children are especially vulnerable because they tend to spend more time outdoors and can burn easily.
Skin damage from the sun increases your risk of developing:
Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms, hands and legs.
Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones, including those with darker complexions.
It occurs when mutations occur in the DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) of skin cells.
Much of the damage to this DNA results from UV radiation found in sunlight.
Although genetics mainly determine skin structure and texture, sun exposure is a major cause of wrinkles, especially for people with light skin.
Exposure to UV light breaks down your skin’s connective tissue, i.e. collagen and elastin fibres, which lie in the deeper layer of skin.
Without this supportive connective tissue, your skin loses strength and flexibility.
Your skin then begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely.
Age spots are caused by overactive pigment cells.
UV light speeds up the production of melanin, a natural pigment that gives skin its colour.
On skin that has had years of sun exposure, age spots appear when melanin becomes clumped or is produced in high concentrations.
One way to protect your skin is to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, even on cloudy days.
Apply sunscreen generously and reapply every two hours, or more often if you’re swimming or perspiring.
Use a generous amount of sunscreen on all exposed skin, including your lips, the tips of your ears, and the backs of your hands and neck.
Sunscreens are required by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remain at their original strength for at least three years.
This means that you can use leftover sunscreen from one year to the next.
Some sunscreens include an expiration date, which indicates when they’re no longer effective.
Discard sunscreen that is past its expiration date.
If you buy sunscreen that doesn’t have an expiration date, write the date of purchase on the bottle.
Throw out the bottle when three years have passed since the purchase date.
In addition to sunscreen, avoid sun exposure in the middle of the day when the UV rays are strongest, wear sunglasses that block both types of UV radiation – UVA and UVB rays – and wear a broad-brimmed hat and other protective clothing.
Exercising and enjoying time outdoors are important for good health.
Staying protected from the sun will allow you and your family to do so safely. – By Laurel Kelly/Mayo Clinic News Network/Tribune News Service
