You’re Probably Forgetting to Put Sunscreen on These Body Parts

July is UV Safety Awareness Month—which couldn’t be more on topic, as many parts of the U.S. are currently experiencing extreme heat waves. While soaking up some rays is a major part of summer, it’s important to remember that sun exposure has risks. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, one in five Americans will get skin cancer in their lifetime—and the rates are increasing.

“There has been an increased prevalence of skin cancers over the past few years, including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma,” Helen He, MDa practicing dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, told Verywell. “In the U.S., basal cell carcinoma rates are increasing about 10% each year, while the number of cases of melanoma has more than doubled since the 1980s.”

While you probably know it’s important to protect your face and limbs with sunscreen, experts say other parts of your body need it, too. These are the body parts that people are most likely to forget to put sunscreen on, and some tips for getting full-body sun protection this summer.

What Body Parts Need Sunscreen?

According to He, some areas of the body that people forget to apply sunscreen to are the scalp, hairline, eyelids, ears, lips, neck, chest, the back of the hands, and the top of the feet.

Ivy Lee, MDa board-certified dermatologist in Pasadena, California, told Verywell that the cuff and seam areas of clothing—such as shirt collars and sleeves, the hemline of shorts, and sock lines—are often overlooked and are common places to get a sunburn.

There are a few reasons why these spots are frequently missed. He explained that since applying sunscreen can feel tedious, people tend to pay the most attention to large body surfaces like the face, arms, and legs. It’s easy to miss the smaller surfaces, like the ears and feet—especially when someone is in a hurry to get going on their outdoor activities.

Lee added that applying sunscreen to certain parts of the body can also be practically challenging. For example, the ear “has a lot of crevices and prominences over which to apply an even layer of sunscreen,” said Lee. When it comes to the scalp, people might simply be turned off by the idea of putting anything sticky or greasy on their heads.

Some people just don’t know what body parts need sunscreen. But your scalp, eyelids, ears, lips, back of your hands, and top of your feet actually do get a lot of sun exposure. He said these areas “are at particular risk for sun damage and are in fact high-risk areas for development of skin cancers.”

And it’s not just putting it on the first time—sunscreen re-application is also important. While it can be hard for people to remember to put on more sunscreen when they’re having fun at a backyard BBQ or pool party, it’s a crucial follow-up step. Both He and Lee said it’s ideal to reapply sunscreen every two hours when you’re outdoors and more frequently if you’re sweating or swimming.

“[Not reapplying] is a strong factor in sunburns on the hands since we wash our hands so often and will wash off the sunscreen there,” said Lee.

How to Get Full-Body Sun Protection This Summer

As you enjoy the sun this summer, consider these expert-approved tips for smarter sunscreen application:

• Apply a thick layer of sunscreen 10 to 15 minutes before sun exposure.
• Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that has both UVA and UVB protection and a minimum SPF of 30.
• Use a lip balm with SPF for additional protection on your lips.
• If creams and liquids are inconvenient for your scalp and hairline, you can try powder or mist sunscreens. Just be aware that these formulations may offer weaker sun protection than the traditional products.
• Set sunscreen reminder alarms on your phone so you don’t forget to reapply every two hours or more throughout the day.
• Create routines or habits that make it easy to remember sunscreen, such as putting a bottle near your front door so you see it every time you leave the house.

When you’re planning full-body sun protection this summer, know that sunscreen is only one step.

“Many people have the misconception that wearing sunscreen makes them immune from the effects of UV radiation, and by wearing sunscreen, they are now able to lay out in the sun all day,” said He. “The reality is that while sunscreen does significantly reduce one’s risk of developing skin cancer, it does not eliminate the risk, so it is still critical to avoid excessive sun exposure and to practice other sun-safe habits.”

Examples of those habits include wearing hats, sunglasses, sun-protective clothing, and spending time in the shade. It’s also helpful to minimize sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (the time of day when the sun is strongest).

Experts also recommend avoiding tanning beds. Research has shown that tanning beds can emit higher amounts of UV radiation than the sun.

Why Whole-Body UV Safety Matters

Cancer prevention is the biggest reason why most of us protect our skin from the sun. As Lee points out, “Skin cancer can develop anywhere on the body, and sun-exposed locations are at higher risk for some types of skin cancer.”

But there are also other reasons to protect yourself. For example, too much sun exposure can lead to sunburn or sun poisoning, both of which are types of skin damage. Sunburn can cause skin to become red and painful, whereas sun poisoning can cause headache, dizziness, and nausea in addition to painful skin.

Sun exposure also leads to premature aging of the skin, which can include discoloration, change in texture and suppleness, wrinkles, redness, and age spots.

“We also see that on the molecular level, sun exposure can increase inflammation, weaken the body’s immune system, and cause oxidative stress by increasing the production of free radicals,” said He. “Full-body sun protection is one of the most important factors for maintaining skin health and preventing both skin cancers and skin aging.”

Do Skin Checks Year-Round

Protecting your skin with sunscreen and other habits helps reduce your chance of developing skin cancer, but monitoring your skin is also important. Skin cancer symptoms can vary from person to person, so you want to be on the lookout for new or unusual-looking spots on your skin. There are different types of skin cancer, but some symptoms that are common among them include:

• A new spot on the skin
• Changes in the size, shape, or color of an existing spot
• An itchy or painful spot
• A growth with a raised border
• A wart-like growth
• A non-healing sore that bleeds or has a crust

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly all skin cancer types can be treated effectively if they are caught early.

Both He and Lee said an annual baseline skin exam is recommended for most people. This is where a primary healthcare provider or dermatologist carefully looks at your entire body to check for lesions that could be worrisome.

Some people might need more frequent skin checks, such as those who are at higher risk of skin cancers (e.g., they’ve had skin cancer before or have a family history of skin cancer). He said that people who are older, have fair skin, light eyes, freckles, immunosuppression, a history of tanning bed use, or a large number of moles may also be at higher risk of skin cancers.

But even if you don’t have any risk factors, checking your skin and getting familiar with what’s normal will help alert you to something that’s not.

“You can also see a dermatologist to evaluate specific spots on the skin that are new, fast-growing, bleeding, painful, or concerning in any way,” said He.