There are plenty of easy to miss spots when you’re applying sunscreen. Make sure to hit these key areas and stay sun safe!
Scalp
As we age, our hair gets thinner and more scalp is exposed. Prevent sunburn on your scalp by applying a spray sunscreen every two or so hours or, better still, cover up with a wide-brimmed hat.
Eyelids
About five to ten per cent of all skin cancers are found on the eyelid or even the eye itself. To protect your eyes, health authorities suggest sliding on sunglasses, slapping on a broad-brim hat and seeking shade when possible.
Ears and lips
Two very high-risk areas for skin cancer are the ears and lips, particularly the bottom lip, which gets more sun exposure than the top lip. Dermatologist Dr Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip recommends using a lip balm with SPF 30 or above, reapplying sunscreen every two hours, and wearing a hat.
Neck
The neck is an oft-overlooked spot for sunscreen, but your neck is always exposed to the sun if you have short hair or tend to put your hair up.
Feet and hands
Think your feet and toes are safe from the sun because they’re in the water or buried beneath the sand? Hardly. Acral lentiginous melanoma (ALM) is a dangerous form of melanoma found on the soles of the feet and palms of the hands. Researchers aren’t sure why, but ALM is usually more common in people with darker skin tones. To protect yourself, slather sunscreen to the tops of feet, between the toes, the backs of your hands and in between your fingers.
How much to use?
Make sure your sunscreen is at least 30 SPF, broad-spectrum and water-resistant. Ideally, you should use at least one teaspoon per limb. A full body application should be around 35ml or seven teaspoons.
