by Mac Stevenson

Created on: May 20, 2009

Old Sol can damage your skin

Think you're not susceptible to skin cancer or premature aging from too much sun? You're first in line for another think.

Coming out of winter hibernation, most golfers ignore the damage that old Sol can do to their face and arms. We're just entering the summer season when the sun's ultraviolet (UVA) rays are a potential health risk if you don't take sensible precautions.

Golfers of all ages spend more time in the sun than most people. Nine holes of golf usually take at least two hours, and 18 holes will normally take four hours or more. Too much sun without any protection can cause skin cancer and premature aging; lack of respect for old Sol is harmful to all ages. But senior golfers are the most susceptible to serious skin cancers caused by overexposure to the sun.

The Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of the sunscreen you should use is an important consideration. SPF can be generally categorized as follows:

(1) Ten or under is low.

(2) Between 10-15 is considered medium.

(3) A factor of 20-40 is high.

(4) Anything over 40 is very high.

What is SPF?

Using an example as a definition: An SPF of 15 means that your skin will receive 15 times more protection from the sun than it would with no buffer against the UVA rays.

High SPF is Best

Most sunscreens on the market are labeled with an SPF of 15 or 30. Higher is better. Regardless of whether you're fair-skinned or dark, you'll be better off using a sunscreen with an SPF of 40 or higher.

The higher SPFs will last longer on the golf course. And the SPF of 15 may not reach the proper level of protection because of inadequate application.

Skin cancers are most likely to develop on bald heads, face, ears, neck, back of hands, and forearms. This is good news for golfers who like to wear shorts.

Separate Lip Protection

Lip protection is available in chap sticks with an SPF of 15 or higher; this factor is high enough for a lip balm because it's simple to reapply it every hour or so.

Beware of Skin Lesions

Any crusty or scaly bump that develops on your skin surface can be the precursor of a skin cancer. If you develop anything that seems suspicious or unusual, make an immediate appointment with your dermatologist. These pre-cancerous growths can be cured if they're treated early.

Even with the conscientious use of a sunscreen on the golf course, you will still get a light tan because all

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