Dermatologists say sunscreen is important safety tool ahead of holiday weekend
Northwell Health dermatologist Dr. Scott Flugman says the actual protection you're getting is often much lower than intended.
Local doctors are urging Long Islanders to stay safe in the sun ahead of National Sunscreen Day on Saturday.
Experts say most people who do use sunscreen regularly do not apply enough of it.
Northwell Health dermatologist Dr. Scott Flugman says the actual protection you're getting is often much lower than intended.
"To get that number on the bottle - when they test it in the lab, they're putting on two ounces," Flugman says. "It's a four-ounce bottle, so in order to get the number on the bottle you have to use half the bottle."
The doctor says it's also important to get regular skin cancer screenings and to have a doctor look at any changes to moles.
Flugman says if melanoma, the most serious kind of skin cancer, is caught early then it is very treatable.
