These are the most common sunscreen mistakes

It's the unofficial start of summer, and as you spend more time outside, don't forget to protect your skin from the sun.Sunscreen is a great tool to do that. But health experts say many people may not apply it the correct way."Sunscreen is the most common and one of the easiest ways to do it, we just have to remember to use our sunscreens,” Dr. Susan Massick, a dermatologist at the Ohio University Wexner Medical Center, said. Dr. Massick said sunscreen mistakes are often made when applying it."They assume they can just apply it when they're already at their activity or they're already at the pool or the beach, but you actually have to apply it about 10-15 minutes beforehand,” Massick said. “You also have to remember to reapply every two to three hours."If you're swimming or sweating, you'll need to reapply even more often.Massick said mineral sunblock may be easier on sensitive skin, but the best kind of sunscreen is the one you'll actually use.“We want to make sure we're using the type that is both UVA and UVB protective, so it's broad-spectrum protection, as well as water resistant,” Massick said.Massick said another mistake is not using enough sunscreen, adding that you can never put on too much.“We tend to quantify it as two Ping-Pong balls worth of sunscreen and apply it all over. You want to make sure you apply to all areas that are exposed, whether it's your face, ears, hands, feet,” Massick said.And don't forget, sunscreens expire. Massick recommended replacing your bottle every year.

It's the unofficial start of summer, and as you spend more time outside, don't forget to protect your skin from the sun.

Sunscreen is a great tool to do that. But health experts say many people may not apply it the correct way.

"Sunscreen is the most common and one of the easiest ways to do it, we just have to remember to use our sunscreens,” Dr. Susan Massick, a dermatologist at the Ohio University Wexner Medical Center, said.

Dr. Massick said sunscreen mistakes are often made when applying it.

"They assume they can just apply it when they're already at their activity or they're already at the pool or the beach, but you actually have to apply it about 10-15 minutes beforehand,” Massick said. “You also have to remember to reapply every two to three hours."

If you're swimming or sweating, you'll need to reapply even more often.

Massick said mineral sunblock may be easier on sensitive skin, but the best kind of sunscreen is the one you'll actually use.

“We want to make sure we're using the type that is both UVA and UVB protective, so it's broad-spectrum protection, as well as water resistant,” Massick said.

Massick said another mistake is not using enough sunscreen, adding that you can never put on too much.

“We tend to quantify it as two Ping-Pong balls worth of sunscreen and apply it all over. You want to make sure you apply to all areas that are exposed, whether it's your face, ears, hands, feet,” Massick said.

And don't forget, sunscreens expire. Massick recommended replacing your bottle every year.

These are the most common sunscreen mistakes

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