Sun Safety Week a Reminder to Protect Ourselves, Dermatologist Says

    JOLIET, IL, June 28, 2013 /24-7PressRelease/ -- In the spirit of both summer and safety, the National Safety Council recognized the week of June 2 through June 8 as Sun Safety Week. Paula Lapinski, M.D., a dermatologist serving Plainfield, IL at the practice of Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Associates, supported the initiative and says there are simple ways to prevent sun damage.

Dr. Lapinski says the safety week was a perfect opportunity to get people talking about things like skin cancer and prevention. Many people have heard sun safety tips before, but many people also forget every summer to follow good practices for keeping their skin safe from the sun, says Dr. Lapinski, who provides dermatology and skin care services for Naperville and Orland Park, IL, as well as other Chicagoland communities.

"For the most part, we all know how to protect our skin," she says, "but many people don't want to deal with the momentary inconvenience of applying sunscreen. Believe me -- a moment of inconvenience can help prevent a lifetime of skin damage or skin cancer."

She encourages using water-resistant sunscreen. The minimum recommended sun protection factor (SPF) is 30. The sunscreen should be applied about 20 minutes before exposing the skin to the sun.

Another important tip to remember is reapplication, Dr. Lapinski says.

"Many people apply sunscreen in the morning or before going swimming and think they are covered for the rest of the day," she says. "But sunscreen wears off. If you're sweating or in the water, even water-resistant sunscreen gets washed away."

A good practice is to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours while in the sun and after sweating, swimming, or drying off.

Sun protection comes from more than sunscreen; Dr. Lapinski also stresses the importance of clothing. Whenever possible, wear long-sleeved shirts, closed-toed shoes, and wide-brimmed hats that cover the ears. These can go a long way to keeping your skin healthy. In the heat of summer, many people are often surprised to find that light, full-coverage clothing can actually make a person feel cooler, because less skin is soaking up rays, Dr. Lapinski says.

She also points out "the sun's rays can penetrate the fabric of clothing. For the best protection outdoors, use a combination of sunscreen and protective clothing whenever possible."

Of course, the ultimate protection comes from not exposing yourself to the sun at all. Dr. Lapinski suggests staying in the shade during the hottest part of the day, when the sun is at its highest and best penetrates the Earth's atmosphere.

"It's a balancing act," Dr. Lapinski says. "I love being outdoors, and I don't want to keep others from enjoying time outside. But I also want to help people maintain youthful, healthy skin and healthy lives. There are ways to enjoy summer safely. We just have to be cautious and remember it's definitely worth it in the long run."

Other tips for staying healthy in the sun include purchasing makeup products that have some sun protection (although people shouldn't use makeup as an alternative to sunscreen), remembering to apply products to your lips and scalp, and checking yourself regularly for any warning signs. And, Dr. Lapinski says, don't forget to use these tips all year long.

Sun Safety Week is sponsored by the Sun Safety Alliance.

At Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Associates, Dr. Jose Rios and Dr. Paula Lapinski offer a combination of expertise in cosmetic surgery and dermatology. Dr. Rios completed his education at Princeton University and New York University and is certified by The American Board of Surgery and The American Board of Plastic Surgery. He has co-authored multiple articles and presented his research at state and national levels. Dr. Lapinski is certified by The American Board of Dermatology and earned her degrees at Notre Dame and Northwestern University. She completed her dermatology residency at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. Because of her interest in skin cancer, she stayed another year and completed a Mohs micrographic surgery fellowship. Dr. Rios and Dr. Lapinski provide comprehensive care for your medical, reconstructive and cosmetic needs at their four Illinois locations.

Website: www.rios-lapinski.com

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