Sunscreen can help lower the risk of skin cancer and prevent premature aging. It’s especially important because skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States — approximately one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.
Dermatologists also recommend sunscreens that are water-resistant. But it’s important to know water-resistant is not synonymous with water-proof. Regardless of the activity you’re doing, you still need to apply the sunscreen every two to three hours. And, if you’re in the water, sunscreen is water-resistant for 80 minutes at most.
“We counsel people to focus on the proper application of it,” said Dr. Kasia Masterpol, now practicing in Burlington and opening soon in Woburn. “That is the most important thing when it comes to sunscreen’s functionality, and most people do not apply the volume or frequency that they should.”