Selecting the Right Sunscreen

Pittsburgh, PA, May 16, 2017 (Newswire.com) - Fun in the sun should always include sun protection, and at the top of that list is sunscreen. With hundreds of sunscreen brands available, it may be difficult to know what to look for when shopping. Before the next outdoor excursion, Dr. Mark P. Seraly, MD, chief medical officer for DermatologistOnCall^®, one of the largest teledermatology networks in the U.S., has compiled a few purchasing tips to help navigate the sunscreen aisle.

1. Look for “broad spectrum” coverage. You want a sunscreen that protects you from UVA and UVB rays, and contains a minimum of SPF 15.
    
2. Don’t be fooled by the numbers. An SPF (sun protection factor) of 15 means it blocks 93 percent of UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97 percent of UVB rays, while SPF 50 blocks 98 percent of UVB rays. Double the number DOES NOT mean double the protection.
    
3. Water resistant is not waterproof.  Water resistant means the SPF level stays effective after 40 minutes in water. Very water resistant means the sunscreen will stay effective after 80 minutes in water.
    
4. People with skin sensitivity should look for sunscreen designed for children. This type of sunscreen tends to be free of fragrances, alcohols or preservatives, and favors minerals over chemicals as the active ingredients.
    
5. Oily or acne-prone skin? Look for water-based sunscreen.

Sunscreen only works if it is used, so select what you will use and make sure to apply and re-apply throughout the day, especially the highly visible areas of the head, neck and back of hands. “One in five Americans will get skin cancer during their lifetime, so it’s critical to not only protect yourself from the sun’s rays, but also be aware of any changes to your skin,” explains Seraly. “All suspicious spots, non-healing lesions or changing moles should be check by a dermatologist.”

"One in five Americans will get skin cancer during their lifetime, so it's critical to not only protect yourself from the sun's rays, but also be aware of any changes to your skin."

Mark P. Seraly, M.D., Chief Medical Officer at Iagnosis, Inc.

To encourage skin checks, DermatologistOnCall is offering five dollars off (with promo code SKINCHECK17) an online visit with a board-certified dermatologist the entire month of May. An online visit can be conducted at the patient’s convenience, regardless of the time of day. To activate an account, visit http://www.DermatologistOnCall.com/SpotCheck17.

About DermatologistOnCall^®

DermatologistOnCall is one of the largest teledermatology networks in the world and offers individuals virtual visits with a U.S. board-certified dermatologist via any device, at any time. The network includes nearly 250 dermatologists in 38 states and sees patients online for more than 3,000 skin, hair and nail conditions. Through their platform, patients can create an account in minutes, upload pictures of the affected area and receive a diagnosis and treatment plan, including any applicable prescription orders, typically within 24 hours. DermatologistOnCall, developed by Mark P. Seraly, M.D., is the flagship product of Pittsburgh-based Iagnosis, Inc., and is focused on delivering faster healthcare treatment to patients through web-enabled solutions. To learn more, visit DermatologistOnCall.com. 

Media Contact: 
Susan Matson
412-749- 9299, x3
[email protected]

Source: DermatologistOnCall powered by Iagnosis