Sun Safety Tips from HSHS St. Vincent’s, St. Mary’s, & Prevea

Posted on 7-09-2020

Green Bay –Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide, and here in Wisconsin, more than 5,000 surgeries were performed for malignant skin cancer removal last year, according to the Wisconsin Hospital Association.

It is widely known that sunscreen plays an important role in the prevention of skin cancer, but not everyone is aware of how to use it most effectively and safely. 

HSHS St. Vincent and St. Mary’s Hospitals offer the following answers to some commonly asked questions about sunscreen, with guidance from Prevea Dermatology experts and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:

How often should sunscreen be applied?

Everyone above six months of age who will be spending any time outside (ideally, parents should avoid exposing babies younger than six months to the sun’s rays) should wear sunscreen. Apply sunscreen to dry skin 15 minutes before going outdoors. Bottle directions may differ, but the general rule is to reapply sunscreen approximately every two hours, or after swimming, sweating or toweling off.  A higher-number SPF does not allow you to spend additional time outdoors without reapplication.

What sunscreen should I use?

Everyone should use sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection against ultraviolet A- and B-rays (UVA and UVB); a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher; and water-resistance.

In addition:
Creams are best for dry skin and the face.
Gels are good for hairy areas, such as the scalp.
Sticks are good to use around the eyes.
When using spray sunscreen, be sure to spray an adequate amount and rub in to ensure even coverage. Do not inhale these products or apply near heat, open flame or while smoking. (Current FDA regulations on testing and standardization do not pertain to spray sunscreens. The FDA continues to evaluate these products to ensure safety and effectiveness.)

Does sunscreen expire? 

The FDA requires all sunscreens to retain their original strength for at least three years. Some sunscreens include an expiration date. If the expiration date has passed, throw out the sunscreen. If you buy a sunscreen that does not have an expiration date, write the date you purchased the sunscreen on the bottle. Also, any obvious changes in the color or consistency of sunscreen mean it’s time to throw it out.

In addition to wearing sunscreen – seeking shade under a tree, umbrella or other shelter, as well as wearing wide brimmed hats, sunglasses, and tightly woven clothing, or long sleeves and pants can protect you from harmful UV rays.  For more information about how to practice sun safety this summer, please visit: https://www.prevea.com/For-Patients/Your-Wellness/Resources/Remember-to-Practice-Sun-Safety

HSHS Hospitals of Northeast WI

About HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center

HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center have been delivering quality health care to Green Bay and its surrounding communities since 1888. With HSHS St. Vincent being the largest tertiary care hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s location on Green Bay’s west side, patients from Northeastern Wisconsin and Upper Michigan benefit from a comprehensive range of services that include cancer care, women’s services, emergency and trauma care, preventive care across the lifespan, digestive health, orthopedic, cardiac care, neurosciences, rehabilitation and pediatrics. Affiliates of Hospital Sisters Health System, the hospitals primary purpose is to continue Christ’s healing love through the delivery of competent and compassionate health care in an environment sensitive to the needs of all people. Both hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

 

About HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital

HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital has been delivering high quality health care to Sheboygan and its surrounding communities since 1890. HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital provides a comprehensive range of services that include cancer care, women’s services, 24-hour emergency care, digestive health, orthopedics, cardiac, home health and hospice care. The hospital’s primary purpose is to continue Christ’s healing love through the delivery of high quality and compassionate health care in an environment sensitive to the needs of all people. HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.  An affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System, we draw on the history of St. Francis of Assisi as we move to continue serving the health care needs of our area in Christ’s healing ministry, caring for all people. To learn more, visit www.stnicholashospital.org.

 

About HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital
HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital serves Oconto Falls and the surrounding communities as a federally-designated critical access hospital with a 24-hour emergency department, urgent care, general, vascular and orthopedic surgical services, inpatient and outpatient surgical and diagnostic services, rehabilitation, oncology outpatient clinic and women’s care. HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital, in affiliation with Prevea Health, has six regional health center locations in Gillett, Lena, Mountain, Oconto, Oconto Falls and Suring. HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital Pharmacies are located in Gillett and Oconto Falls. Founded in 1921 as Community Memorial Hospital, in 2014, HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital became the fourteenth hospital in Hospital Sisters Health System. As an affiliate of Hospital Sisters Health System, we draw on the history of St. Francis of Assisi as we move to continue serving the health care needs of our area in Christ’s healing ministry, caring for all people. For more information about St. Clare, visit www.stclarememorial.org.

 

About Hospital Sisters Health System

Hospital Sisters Health System’s (HSHS) mission is to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through our high quality, Franciscan health care ministry. HSHS provides state-of-the-art health care to our patients and is dedicated to serving all people, especially the most vulnerable, at each of our 15 Local Systems and physician practices in Illinois (Breese, Decatur, Effingham, Greenville, Highland, Litchfield, O’Fallon, Shelbyville and Springfield) and Wisconsin (Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire, Oconto Falls, Sheboygan, and two in Green Bay). HSHS is sponsored by Hospital Sisters Ministries. For more information about HSHS, visit www.hshs.org.  For more information about Hospital Sisters of St. Francis, visit www.hospitalsisters.org.

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