Fourth, reapply your sunscreen throughout the day. You should reapply sunscreen every two to three hours, especially if you are swimming or have perspired. Set a phone alert for reapplication to help remind yourself.
Fifth, make it stylish. Support your sun protection effort by wearing fashionable hats and shades when you’re out.
ESTABLISHING GOOD SUN PROTECTION HABITS FROM YOUNG
Parents and teachers can also help establish good sun protection habits from young. I have two boys and we use sunscreen whenever we spend time outdoors.
For the older child, I make it fun by letting him “draw” with his fingers using the sunscreen on his own skin. For the younger one, I sing a cute song with dramatic actions while applying it. My favourite is “One, two, three, four, five, once I caught a fish alive” and when I count, I dot some sunscreen on him.
Hopefully, these childhood routines can help them be less resistant towards sun protection when they grow up.
In a way, the beauty industry has played an important role in healthcare by promoting sunscreen as a cosmetic product. After all, some sunscreen is better than no sunscreen.
While flaunting our spot-free, radiant complexion, we could be preventing skin cancer along the way – not that it’s intentional, but it’s certainly a positive side effect.
Kristen Juliet Soh is the editorial director and co-founder of Daily Vanity.
