LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Summer time and medicine time don't always go well together.
Doctor Bradley Havins of Touro Health Center says some of the medicine you're taking could make you more photosensitive, which means you're more at risk of developing sunburn.
"These include a lot of cholesterol medication, blood pressure medications, antibiotics," Havins said. "The (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) has a list on their website of these medications."
It's a case-by-case scenario and not everyone taking these medications will become photosensitive, but you should know the warning signs.
"People will develop a pattern of redness consistent with the sun exposure," Havins said. "So for example, if somebody's outside wearing a hat they may not get that sun exposure on their face, so they might spare that area."
Another sunburn booster to watch out for are those creams and lotions that you put on your skin.
"A variety of acne medications can affect your photo sensitivity specifically medications with tretinoin or retinol," Havins said.
Additionally, Havins says to consult with your aesthetician if you're having any aesthetic procedure done to see if you need to limit your sun exposure.
And though in these cases sunscreen doesn't protect you 100 percent, Havins says applying an added layer of protection is better than nothing.
To pick a good sunscreen, doctors recommend a high SPF rating, 30 or higher, with a broad spectrum UVA and UVB.
