Spending time outdoors is great for your mental and physical health, but too much sun exposure without protection can lead to serious consequences. Skin cancer, the most common form of cancer in the United States, is frequently caused by too much exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.
The good news? Most skin cancers are preventable with the right precautions. By understanding SPF, practicing smart sun habits, and avoiding common misconceptions, you can take powerful steps towards keeping your skin healthy for years to come.
Michael Scoppetuolo, MD, medical director of The Cancer Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center is here to help advise you on how to keep your skin safe from the sun.
UV Rays and SPF
There is no medical evidence that sunscreen causes cancer. However, there is a lot of evidence that UV rays from the sun and tanning beds do.
- UVB exposure is the main cause of sunburn and can lead to skin cancers, including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma of the skin.
- UVA exposure leads to skin tanning, pigmentation and oxidative damage that can contribute to photoaging and add to the cancer-causing effects of UVB.
Smart Ways to Stay Sun Safe
- Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. SPF stands for “Sun Protection Factor.” It measures how well sunscreen protects against UVB rays. “Broad-spectrum” means it protects against both UVA (aging rays) and UVB (burning rays).
- Reapply. No matter the SPF number, sunscreens only work for about two hours and should be reapplied after swimming or sweating. Even if your sunscreen says ‘water-resistant’ it doesn’t mean waterproof.
- Wear protective clothing. This includes wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses with UV-protection, and lightweight long sleeves.
- Don’t rely solely on makeup or moisturizers with SPF. They’re great additions, but not strong enough to be your only line of defense.
- Seek shade, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
- Check the expiration date on your sunscreen. Sunscreen without an expiration date has a shelf life of no more than 3 years. It is also important to store sunscreen properly. Its shelf life is shorter if it has been exposed to high temperatures.
Other things to keep in mind
- Sunburn and sun damage may be associated with hot, sunny weather, but they can also occur in cold, cloudy conditions.
- Having darker skin means you start with a base layer of protection that someone with fair skin or who burns easily doesn't have. However, even if you tan easily or rarely burn, UV rays can still damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer and premature aging.
- Double the SPF number doesn’t mean double the protection. This is because the amount of UVB blocked by sunscreen is not linear. After a certain point, a higher SPF number may only provide a little more UVB protection.
- SPF 30 blocks 97% of UVB rays
- SPF 50 blocks 98% of UVB rays
Sun protection isn’t just for beach days, it’s a year-round commitment to your health. If you have any questions about your skin or concerns about sun exposure, talk to your healthcare provider.
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To learn more about cancer care at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, call 1.844.226.2376 or visit our website.
Opening Fall 2025: Melchiorre Cancer Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center
The Melchiorre Cancer Center at Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center is an outpatient facility on CBMC’s campus that will serve as the northern hub for the integrated oncology services offered by RWJBarnabas Health and Rutgers Cancer Institute, the state’s only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Learn more at rwjbh.org/cbmccancercenter.