The hazards of a heat wave

One of my pale skinned Asian patients suffered from skin burn during the heat wave. She had only been out in the sun for a few hours, and she managed to suffer some burning on her chin and on her arms. She was extremely concerned about it, as a decade previously she could walk around in the summer without any problems. However in the last few years, she often found that a few hours in the sun were sufficient to cause burning.          

            It is recommended that Asians wear a minimum of SPF 15. However many feel there is no need for it, and so avoid SPF creams all together. My patient was anxious to use the ‘best’ SPF cream available, and so I was led to my next dilemma. As we both stood in front of two shelves brimming with SPF creams. I was asked, “Which one is the best one?” Now as far as I am concerned the only difference between them all is price, brand name and SPF strength. Although the recommendation for Asian’s is an SPF of 15, I advised her to buy one with an SPF of 50. There is no harm in using a strong cream, only the apparent benefit of extra protection.