Shopping around for sunscreen? You’ve likely heard SPF 15 is the “magic number.” While that’s good walking-around-town protection, SPF 30 should be your target when you’re outside for longer than an hour.

A sun protection factor of 30 blocks 97 percent of the sun’s rays, while SPF 15 blocks 93 percent. While that may not sound like a significant difference, think about the percentage of rays still getting through to your skin. That 7 percent versus 3 percent means SPF 30 offers at least double the protection you get from the many cosmetic and skincare products with minimal SPF.

You can’t layer your way to SPF 30. In other words, an SPF 15 lotion and an SPF 15 foundation don’t equal SPF 30. Products with greater protection also account for our human tendency to under-apply sunscreen. Keep your skin healthy, happy, and youthful-looking. When in doubt, reach for 30!

You probably know the importance of wearing sunscreen. It’s just a matter of selecting the right sun protection and applying it properly. We’re adding another consideration to the mix. A study published recently in The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association reports almost 1 billion people worldwide get too little vitamin D.

D is the “sunshine vitamin” because it’s produced when the skin is exposed to the sun’s rays. Since Vitamin D receptors are found in almost every type of cell, it plays an important role is functions from immune to inflammatory response. A host of symptoms may be rooted in deficiencies, including muscle weakness and bone fractures.

Wearing SPF 15 decreases Vitamin D production by 99 percent, so it’s important to balance your body’s metabolic requirements and sun protection needs. Researchers urge:

• 5 to 30 minutes of midday sun exposure, two times per week
• Sunbathing is not required; a short walk with exposed arms and legs will do
• Enjoy fortified milk, cereals, and food sources such as Portobello mushrooms and eggs
• Take supplements as directed by your doctor

Dermatologists
#1 – Don’t let the wrong SPF in your sunscreen burn you
#2 – Let the sunshine in? Protect your skin and get a healthy dose of Vitamin D
#3 – Your guide to happy, healthy summer skin

The ubiquitous use of mobile devices has been a boon to chiropractors everywhere. But those of us in the cosmetic dermatology field are also seeing younger patients with “tech neck,” those horizontal lines that have you reaching for a scarf when it’s 70 degrees outside.

The repetitive motion of looking down at your phone or tablet triggers increased skin laxity. That means more and deeper wrinkles and sagging jowls. We’re not asking you to give up your beloved phone. After all, how could any of us survive without it? What we are asking is smart use of those smartphones!

• Be aware of your posture.
• Take frequent breaks from the screen.
• Adjust the position of your neck.
• Consciously raise the device to eye-level.
• Follow a skincare routine as advised by your dermatologist.

We also advise on the proper way to apply products. You don’t have to do something drastic to see a dramatic difference in tech neck. Call to find out about today’s many noninvasive procedures to address today’s problems!

Nothing ruins a cute bikini or confidence faster than the peaks and valleys of cellulite. An estimated 90 percent of women will develop this condition, usually as 20- and 30-somethings and in direct correlation with declining estrogen levels.

Don’t hide your legs; embrace them. Let’s cut through the myths to approaches worth your time, money, and sweat.

Myth: If I lose more weight, I can lose cellulite, too.

The truth: Cellulite’s genetic, hormonal, and age-related causes are many. Since it affects most women, it’s easy to see how even the slimmest and fittest are frustrated by lingering dimples. Diet and exercise alone can make dimples look less obvious, but will not do away with cellulite completely.

Myth: I’ll lotion my way to cellulite-free skin.

The truth: You can’t. Many creams may promise miracles, cellulite starts deep in the skin. As fat accumulates, the fibers that connect skin to muscle get stretched, which causes an uneven surface. No store-bought product has been shown to trigger lasting improvements.

Dermatologists are equipped with the latest noninvasive procedures and prescription products to improve the look of or get rid of cellulite. Call today before another summer gets away.

Cosmetic dermatologists
#1 – How smartphone habits make you look older than your years
#2 – The ugly truths about cellulite
#3 – Getting smart about day-to-day skincare