ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Why you shouldn't miss these spots when applying sunscreen

Share
TORONTO -

The scalp, lips, hands and feet are among the most common spots missed when applying sunscreen, according to one dermatologist who says avoiding these areas can lead to sun damage and certain types of skin cancers.

Toronto-based dermatologist Dr. Renee Beach told CTV's Your Morning on Wednesday that people often neglect certain body parts that are "crucial to protect" when applying sunscreen.

Beach says the section of the scalp that is parted by one’s hair is "really common" to forget, unless someone has gotten a burn in the area before.

"Whether it's male or female, that's an area that can consistently burn and it really, in addition to feeling quite tingl[y], it actually is a risk for skin cancers such as basal cell cancer," she explained.

Beach said the tops of the ears, also known as helices, are common sites prone to burning for those with short hairstyles and are one of the first areas to show signs of burning.

She noted that burns on the ears in people's younger years can lead to scaly crusty areas along this rim when they get older. Beach said this is a sign of sun damage, known as actinic keratosis, which she often treats.

Beach says the lips are also a commonly missed area, as sunscreen can taste bad or feel like it is drying out the lips.

To combat this, she suggests finding a lip balm that has SPF of at least 30 with a waxy, rather than greasy, texture.

"The more it can mimic an actual cosmetic lip balm, the more agreeable it is to be using regularly," Beach said.

She noted that those who spend a lot of extra time outside, including cyclists and gardeners, should remember to apply sunscreen to their hands as well as their feet. She says these areas will be quick to show small, brown age spots or liver spots.

"For people who have brown or black skin or [are] deeper skin tone patients, that may be the only area that they actually realize they have sun exposure," Beach said. "So that's an area where it's really going to starkly show the contrast between your baseline skin and the skin that bought the tan."

While people often remember to apply sunscreen on the back of the neck, and the jaw and chin serve to protect the anterior, Beach says the sides of the neck are "consistently forgotten."

"This actually becomes quite a cosmetic concern around middle age because we get all these sort of red and brown speckly changes and wrinkling," Beach explained.

Making it easier to remember to protect this area, Beach says the same sunscreen applied to the face can also be used on the neck.

While there are different types of sunscreen for different areas of the body, ultimately Beach says the "best, most practical sunscreen is the one you're willing to consistently use."

However, there are options and alternatives for those looking to stay on top of protecting their skin.

For the face, Beach suggests keeping a stick form or a powdered sunscreen in one's bag to allow for quick re-application during the day.

"There are some nicer more elegant formulations for say the face and the neck, they may be a bit thinner in texture, they may even be tinted which we know is really great for prevention of pigmentation of the skin," she explained.

When it comes to the body, she said it is important to choose a product that is going to provide lasting protection while outside.

"[For] the body, a lot of times we get a more waxy texture or a thicker substance that's designed to last for example for outdoor activities like running, brief water exposure, those sorts of activities," Beach said.

For those who really hate sunscreen, Beach recommends looking into UPF 50+ clothing, which can be more protective than sun block, as well as more comfortable for some people.

CTVNews.ca ÐÇ¿Õ´«Ã½

Three men were injured after trying to subdue a man armed with a knife during afternoon prayers at a Montreal-area mosque Friday afternoon.

Police have arrested an 18-year-old woman who allegedly stole a Porsche and then ran over its owner in an incident that was captured on video.

Since she was a young girl growing up in Vancouver, Ginny Lam says her mom Yat Hei Law made it very clear she favoured her son William, because he was her male heir.

A 15-year-old boy who was the subject of an emergency alert in New Brunswick has been arrested.

The search for a missing six-year-old boy in Shamattawa is continuing Friday as RCMP hope recent tips can help lead to a happy conclusion.

Emergency crews in northern Ontario found the bodies of four people inside a home where a fire broke out Thursday night.

Local Spotlight

Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

They say a dog is a man’s best friend. In the case of Darren Cropper, from Bonfield, Ont., his three-year-old Siberian husky and golden retriever mix named Bear literally saved his life.

A growing group of brides and wedding photographers from across the province say they have been taken for tens of thousands of dollars by a Barrie, Ont. wedding photographer.

Paleontologists from the Royal B.C. Museum have uncovered "a trove of extraordinary fossils" high in the mountains of northern B.C., the museum announced Thursday.

The search for a missing ancient 28-year-old chocolate donkey ended with a tragic discovery Wednesday.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is celebrating an important milestone in the organization's history: 50 years since the first women joined the force.

It's been a whirlwind of joyful events for a northern Ontario couple who just welcomed a baby into their family and won the $70 million Lotto Max jackpot last month.

A Good Samaritan in New Brunswick has replaced a man's stolen bottle cart so he can continue to collect cans and bottles in his Moncton neighbourhood.