Sunscreen Spray Can Be Dangerous. Here’s How to Apply It Safely.

Are you the kind of person that reaches for the spray when selecting your sunscreen?  If you do than you need to know how and who to apply it to.  Consumer reports has tested many sprays and have found many to be effective but cautions that if applied incorrectly could be dangerous or ineffective.

Here are steps to ensure that you safely use this product when you're out enjoying Maine's short summer season:

1. Don't Spray On Kids

The chemicals in the spray could easily be inhaled by the kiddos and cause damage to their little lungs due to the irritants in the spray.  Additionally, an ingredient found in sunscreen, titanium dioxide, was found to cause cancer in lab mice when inhaled.  Just opt for a lotion for the kids or choose to spray the sunscreen into your hands then apply it on their skin.

2. Don't Spray At Your Face

The same reasoning as above, but as an adult and spraying yourself you have more control over where the spray goes.  Avoid inhaling due to getting the irritants in the spray in your lungs. Spray close to your skin, enough so it glistens.

3. Rub It In Thoroughly

It is advised, even for "no-rub" products, to ensure a thorough covering by rubbing the product for 10 seconds into your skin.

4. No Sprays On Windy Days

When the wind is whipping around it will be hard to get the product on you as you would intend.  It could cause you to inhale the product and won't provide great coverage.  Again, if it's all you have, spray the product into your hands and rub it into your skin instead.

5. Avoid Using the Spray Around Open Flames

It's grilling season and sitting-around-the-campfire season and just wearing your sunscreen near the flame could literally burn you.  The sunscreen spray has alcohol in it that will scorch you if you hang around an open flame.  Who knew?