That's Fit blogger Jonathon Morgan wrote on May 25 about five sunscreen myths. In the spirit of Skin Cancer Awareness Month, it seems appropriate to mention this thought-provoking news here on this site.

I just heard a radio commercial about a certain sunscreen, claiming the product is so good consumers need only apply the lotion one time during an eight-hour time frame. It seems, according to the following list of myths, this is not exactly true.

Myth #1: Sunscreens protect all day.
Fact: Regardless of the SPF or what the label says, sunscreens must be reapplied every two hours because active ingredients in most products break down when exposed to the sun.

Myth #2: Some sunscreens are waterproof.
Fact: The FDA does not use the word "waterproof." Nor should we. Now "water/sweat/perspiration resistant" is accurate but this only means the sunscreen offers SPF protection after 40 minutes of water exposure. Add "very" to this string of words and you get 80 minutes of protection.

Myth #3: Sunscreen can provide total sunblock.
Fact: Nope. No sunscreen blocks 100 percent of UV rays. SPF 15 protects against 93 percent, though. SPF 30 protects against 97 percent. SPF 50 shuts out 98 percent. But this only really works when you apply two tablespoons on your body 30 minutes before going outside so the sunscreen has time to absorb into your skin.

Myth #4: Sunscreen is all you need to stay safe.
Fact: Sunscreen is only one piece of the puzzle. Other pieces include seeking shade between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM, covering up with clothing, wearing broad-brimmed hats and UV-blocking sunglasses, completing self-exams, and reporting for annual professional skin evaluations.

Myth #5: SPF measures levels of protection for UVB and UVA rays.
Fact: SPF really only measures for UVB rays. Yet some of the 16 active ingredients in sunscreens block or absorb some UVA rays. Look for products labeled "broad spectrum" for the most protection.