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UV protection comes in a variety of forms

Ronda Sluder

With the weather warming up, residents are basking in the sunshine once again and enjoying the many outdoor activities Tahoe has to offer.

Although nothing can beat a warm, cloudless day at the lake, keep in mind that at higher elevations, sun exposure is more severe and should be combated with plenty of sunscreen.

Dermatologists agree that to protect against those UVA rays, purchase sunscreen with a protection factor of 30 or more and reapply often, as the number reflects how long the lotion will last, not how strong it is.



Dark-colored clothing also helps to reflect the rays as well as wearing a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protected sunglasses.

The following are recommendations on how often to apply various sunscreens. Estimations are found by dividing the SPF number by 10, which determines how long a sunscreen will last.



SPF 5: Every 30 minutes

SPF 10: Every hour

SPF 20: Every two hours

SPF 40: Every four hours

SPF 50: Every five hours

Despite attempts to reduce sun exposure, most people at one time or another have gotten a sunburn, and some may not realize that a particular mole may be cancerous.

Moles come in all shapes and sizes but if any have the following characteristics they should be looked at by a doctor.

Size: Sudden or continuous growth of a mole, especially if it is bigger than a pencil eraser.

Shape: Irregular borders of a mole.

Color: A mole that darkens or develops a dark spot in its center, or a pearly, translucent tan, brown, black or pink color.

Elevation: Sudden elevation of a flat freckle.

Surface Characteristics: Bleeding, itching, oozing, hurting, crusting or scabbing.

Surrounding Skin: Redness, swelling or spots of color, especially near a mole.

Consistency: Any softening, hardening, or crumbling of skin.

Sensation: Itching, tenderness, or pain. Also, an open sore that lasts for more than four weeks, heals and then reopens is a sign.


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