Top Picks for Sunscreen – Brian Cook, PA-C

Let’s get straight to the point; if you have skin and go outside, you should be wearing sunscreen! Here are my top three picks to stock up on this summer…

Caring for Your Skin – Top Sunscreens

Having amassed more than 13 years experience in clinical and aesthetic dermatology, I’ve had many conversations with patients regarding which sunscreens to use. Whether you have sensitive skin, are prone to breakouts, have a predisposition to skin cancer, or simply want to prevent premature aging, the following products do a great job of protecting skin if used according to the product instructions. You can easily find any of these products online or at your local store.

3 Dermatologist Recommended Sunscreens

Cetaphil Shear Mineral Face Liquid Sunscreen SPF 50  

Banana Boat Simply Protect Sensitive SPF 50 spray sunscreen

IMAGE Skincare SPF 50 Sunscreen

Who can benefit from wearing sunscreen? 

EVERYONE can benefit from wearing sunscreen! Whether you are a skin type zero who burns within minutes of sun exposure, or the darkest skin type 6, you should wear sunscreen while engaging in outdoor activities.

Why? Sunscreen helps reduce sun damage and prevent sun burns. These benefits can significantly reduce your risk of developing skin cancer.  Moreover, appropriate sunscreen use also reduces the potential of developing wrinkles, sun spots, or thin sagging leather appearing skin. 

When to Wear Sunscreen

Anyone who spends time outside when the sun is up, be it a clear or cloudy day, should wear a BROAD SPECTRUM (UVA/UVB) SPF 50 sunscreen on sun exposed skin.  

What does SPF mean and which SPF should I wear? 

SPF (Sun Protective Factor) is a number assigned to a sunscreen’s protective abilities.  The higher the number the better the protection. Typically, I advise wearing an SPF 50 UVA/UVB broad spectrum sunscreen because it can block approximately 98% of the UV hitting your skin, assuming you apply an adequate amount and reapply as the label instructs.  

What is the optimal method of sunscreen application? 

Apply sunscreen evenly to clean dry areas of sun exposed skin 10-15 minutes BEFORE  you need it to work. Then reapply the sunscreen approximately every 45 to 90 minutes depending on the product you use.    

Call (817) 539-0959 to request an appointment with Brian Cook, PA-C