Sunscreen - Know Your Numbers

Are ya'll watching the Your Child's Health segments on WFAA-TV every Tuesday morning? Each week, our resident Mom Reis Myers McCormick, chats with a different specialist at Children's Medical Center about topics that matter most to parents and kids.

This week, she addressed sunscreens with dermatology nurse practitioner Maury Contreras. And with the holiday weekend just around the corner, most of us will probably be at the pool, grilling out, playing at the park - doing something outdoors to celebrate the 4th - so the timing couldn't be better.

The segments are short and sweet, but jam-packed full of great info. Take a minute to learn the difference between UVA and UVB and what SPF really means.


So, to recap:

• Apply sunscreen 15 - 30 minutes before going outdoors
• Look for a sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays to prevent burning and premature aging of the skin
• Reapply sunscreen once you're outdoors and every couple hours
• Minimize sun exposure between 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. when the sun's rays are the most dangerous
• Best sunscreen = a house!

Now that I'm a little older and MUCH wiser, I've finally developed a good habit of protecting my skin. Hello anti-wrinkle creams and SPF face lotions! Let's teach this next generation a healthy habit early on and let them learn from our mistakes (baby oil as a tanning lotion, anyone? Seriously, what were we thinking?!).

Keep your water babies safe and happy and well-protected from the sun. And have a great holiday weekend!