How to use sunscreen? I usually apply a thick layer of sunscreen

I usually apply a thick layer of sunscreen, sometimes a full body lotion to my face. Please ask the doctor how much sunscreen is enough and how to use it? (Ngan, 29 years old, Hanoi).

Reply:

Sunscreen can help prevent skin cancer, skin care, anti-aging. So make it part of your daily skin care routine.

You use about 1.2 ml (1/3 teaspoon), or a dime-sized amount, when applying sunscreen to your face, and it takes more to cover your entire body. Stay indoors, apply sunscreen 1-2 times per day. Outdoor activities all day, should be applied every two hours. If swimming or strenuous activity causes sweating, apply cream more often.

It doesn't really matter if you use a full body sunscreen for your face or vice versa because the UV protection they provide is often the same. The main difference is that body sunscreens are usually thicker, slick and greasy.

You should use a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Many creams have a much higher SPF. SPF 30 can block 97% of UVB rays - ultraviolet rays that can cause skin burns, while SPF 50 blocks 98%. Sunscreen ingredients like zinc or titanium need 15-20 minutes to absorb into the skin, especially before swimming and when sweating.

Should I use a cream or spray sunscreen?
I usually use cream sunscreen, recently introduced spray type, find it more convenient but not sure how effective. Which doctor is better? (My Anh, HCMC)

Reply:

Using sunscreen is essential in daily skin care, because they act as a shield and protect the body from harmful ultraviolet radiation such as UVA and UVB rays. Even in winter or any season of the year, sunscreen should be used because it helps prevent dark spots, dark spots, and maintains smooth and even skin tone.

Both cream and spray sunscreens have their own advantages and disadvantages. Spray sunscreen is more popular because it is convenient and easy to spray on hard to reach areas such as the back and shoulders. Can use this form when traveling or sitting inside the car, spray on children when playing outdoors. However, spray sunscreens are potentially harmful when inhaled, especially for people with asthma and young children.

Cream sunscreens are easily absorbed on the face, but this often feels greasy and heavy on the skin. Meanwhile, spray sunscreen is not greasy and sticky. Cream sunscreens provide more robust protection because they are measurable.

It's really hard to decide if a cream or spray sunscreen is better. Many people are tending to use spray form more because it is easy to carry and convenient. No matter what type of sunscreen, choose the one you feel is suitable for daily use and don't forget to use it.

How do children use sunscreen?
My family is going to the beach, my two children 4 months old and 6 years old should apply sunscreen? How should children be shielded and protected from the sun because it is difficult for them to cooperate? (Han, 35 years old, HCMC)

Reply:

Sunburn will cause permanent skin damage, increasing the risk of developing skin cancer. Dark-skinned children may be exposed to more sun than lighter-skinned children. Sunburn is also a sign of skin damage. When the skin is damaged by UV rays, it produces more pigment to protect itself.

Teaching children how to protect themselves in the sun from an early age helps form good habits to protect their skin later. However, it is important to use age-appropriate sunscreen.

Avoid applying sunscreen on babies under 6 months of age, because the ratio of skin area to body weight is higher than in older children and adults. This means that your child will be exposed to more of the chemicals in the cream, which can increase the risk of an unwanted reaction.

It's best not to expose babies under 6 months to direct sunlight, so stay in the shade as much as possible, especially at midday when UV radiation is strongest. In cases where it is imperative to apply cream, only small areas of skin such as cheeks and back of hands should be applied.

Children over 6 months old when outdoors should wear loose clothing, a wide-brimmed hat that covers the back of the neck and ears, and sunglasses. Children who swim should wear swimwear with UV-protective fabrics.

Choose a sunscreen with a high SPF and UVA protection, which is fragrance-free to reduce the risk of allergies. Do not completely trust products that are advertised as "long-lasting", "disposable sunscreens once a day".

Creams applied to the skin may wash off. Therefore, it should be reapplied as often as every two hours, no matter what cream you use, especially after exercising, swimming, sweating, or drying off with a towel.

Try different sunscreens to see which works best for your child, maybe a spray or stick form will work better. Colored cream makes it easy to spot missed areas.

To turn the time of applying cream into a fun activity for your baby, you can combine it with your baby's favorite TV show or song. Write a word in cream on your baby's skin or draw a picture and ask her to guess what you're drawing (flower, smiley face...), then ask her to help erase it (i.e. apply it on the skin) . Play "match the dots" with ice cream, letting your baby spread the cream from dot to dot.

When children play outdoors, you should pay attention to areas that are easy to miss, such as ears, backs of feet and hands. Applying a second coat about 15 minutes after the first will help cover areas that you may have missed the first time around.

Wishing you and your family a happy and safe trip to the sea.