non-pharmacological prevention
Patient Counselling
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before application of the sunscreen.
- Use a "broad spectrum" sunscreen for protection against both UVA and UVB.
- Apply sunscreen 15-30 minutes before sun exposure.
- Apply the sunscreen generously (2 mg/cm2). An average adult will need about 30 mL of sunscreen for full coverage.
- Use about 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful (tsp) on the face and neck, 1-1.5 tsp to arms, shoulders and torso and 2-2.5 tsp to the legs and top of the feet.
- The sunscreen should be reapplied at least every 2 hours (depending on the sunscreen).
- Reapply after washing or towel drying.
- If swimming or sweating, use a water/sweat resistant sunscreen and reapply with every 40-80 minutes of swimming/sweating as directed on the label.
- Reapply the sunscreen to lips after eating/drinking.
- Use Gel formulations if oily skin/acne and reapply after swimming/sweating
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water before application of the sunscreen.
References:
1. Kleiman N. Prevention and Treatment of Sun-Induced Skin Damage. In: Patient Self Care. 2nd ed. Ottawa, On: Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2010: 619-628.
2. Guenther L. Sunburn [cited 2014 Jun 25]. eTherapeutics+. Ottawa: Canadian Pharmacists Association; c2014. Available from: www.e-therapeutics.ca/tc.showChapter.action?documentId=c0065.