Tips Archives - 501 Pharmacy

Always Grab the Blue Lizard®… Sunscreen That Is

June 12, 2019 By Han Su

We all know that you need to wear sunscreen when you are at the pool or beach but did you know the American Academy of Dermatology actually recommends that you wear it every day if you are going to be outside? The sun emits harmful UV rays year-round. Even on a cloudy day, UV rays can penetrate your skin.

Who Needs Sunscreen?

Everyone! Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and anyone can get it regardless of age, gender, or race. It is estimated that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime. Sunscreen should be thought of as your first line of defense against the sun.

Which Sunscreen Should I Choose?

When you are shopping for a sunscreen, make sure you read the label. Sunscreens with broad-spectrum protection (protect against UVA and UVB rays) and with sun protection factor (SPF) values of 30 or higher are recommended. It is also a good idea to have a sunscreen that is water resistant if you plan to be swimming or perspiring a lot. Be sure to apply the sunscreen properly. About one ounce of sunscreen should be used to cover the arms, legs, neck, and face of an average adult. This is enough to fill a shot glass. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to the tops of your feet, your neck, your ears, and the top of your head. Don’t wait until you are already outside to apply sunscreen. You should put it on dry skin 15 minutes before going outdoors.

Will My Sunscreen From Last Year Still Work?

If you are applying sunscreen daily you should not have sunscreen left over from last year but in case you do, here are some guidelines to see if it will still be effective this year.

The FDA requires that all sunscreens retain their original strength for at least three years.
If the expiration date has passed, throw it out!
If you buy a sunscreen that does not have an expiration date, write the date that you bought it on the bottle so you can remember.
Throw it out if there are any obvious changes in the color of consistency.

Source: AAD.org

Han’s Choice: Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen

I bet you were wondering when the lizard was going to come in. At 501 Pharmacy we are proud to carry Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen in a variety of SPFs to protect you and your family. Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen was born in the harsh climate of Australia, where extreme UV rays make strong sun protection a must. Blue Lizard Sunscreen withstood the elements and earned the trust of countless dermatologists before making its way to the USA. Learn more at BlueLizard.net.

Stop in to pick up your sunscreen today!

Download Our Free 501 Pharmacy Rx App

May 3, 2019 By Han Su

The 501 Pharmacy App brings the best features of 501 Pharmacy right to the palm of your hand. With the app, you are able to manage you and your family’s medications… and save time doing it!

Convenience is key and our patient app makes it easy to request prescription refills, view medication profiles, view store hours, and contact the pharmacy – all from your smart device.

Have trouble remembering to take your medication? Never miss a dose by setting medication reminders directly in our app! We will alert you through the app when it is time to take your medicine.

The app also knows when you’re in the store, allowing us to serve you that much faster.

Download the 501 Pharmacy App

Click on the links below to download our app for free for iPhone or for Android.

Download the iTunes App

Download the Android App

Once you have downloaded the app, create an account by entering your last name, Rx Number, and date of birth and then you are ready to go! When you order a refill through the app we will send you a confirmation email as well as an estimated pick up time. You can also schedule to have your prescription delivered via the “drug bug” if you are in our delivery area.

Have questions? Text the pharmacy number, 984-999-0501, and one of our staff members will get back to you as soon as possible.

501 Pharmacy Services

At 501 Pharmacy we are here for you. We always make time to talk to you or make an appointment to discuss your medications, potential drug interactions, compounding, immunizations, and any other pharmaceutical needs. Our services include:

Adherence Packaging
Compounding
Free Local Delivery
Immunizations & Vaccines
Prescription Transfers
Over-the-Counter Drugs
Vitamins and Supplements
Essential Oils
Ideal Protein
and much more…

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Grab Those Sunnies and the SPF – It’s UV Safety Month

July 19, 2018 By Han Su

Summer is in full swing which means most of us are out playing in the sun! Pool parties, beach vacations, playgrounds, and backyard barbecues are what the last couple of months of summer are all about. While it is a great idea to soak up that vitamin D – you need to make sure you are protecting you and your family in the process. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has declared July UV Safety Month, making this the perfect opportunity to learn a little more about UV rays and sun safety.

Murad’s Five S’s of Sun Sense

I stumbled across this list of ways to protect yourself from UV rays and I love how easy it is to remember them. Just keep in mind Slip, Slop, Slap, Seek, and Slide.

Slip on clothing to keep your body protected.
Slop on sunscreen to all exposed areas of the body.
Slap on a hat to keep your scalp, neck, and top of your head protected.
Seek the shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when the sun is at its strongest.
Slide on protective eyewear to keep your eyes sun-safe.

Source: Murad.com

Sunscreen

First things first, let’s dive into protecting your skin. Did you know skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States? People who get a lot of exposure to UV rays are at a greater risk for skin cancer. Though sunlight is the main source of UV rays, that does not mean you need to stop going outdoors. When you know you are going to be in the sun, make sure you put on sunscreen. Sunscreen should be thought of as your first line of defense against the sun. When choosing a sunscreen, make sure you read the label. Sunscreens with board spectrum protection and with sun protection factor (SPF) values of 30 or higher are recommended. Be sure to apply the sunscreen properly. About one ounce of sunscreen should be used to cover the arms, legs, neck, and face of an average adult.

Clothing

When you are out in the sun, it is best to wear clothing that will cover your skin. Dark colors generally provide more protection than light colors. If you can see light through a fabric, UV rays can get through. Wear a hat with at least a two-inch brim all around whenever you can. We recommend getting one with a UNC logo.

Sunglasses

Last but certainly not least, UV-blocking sunglasses are important for protecting the skin around the eyes, as well as the eyes themselves. Before you buy sunglasses, check the label to make sure they say something along the lines of “UV absorption up to 400 nm” or “Meets ANSI UV Requirements”.

Source: American Cancer Society

Where to Shop

At 501 Pharmacy we have a wide variety of sunscreens for you to choose from. I would love to help you find one that will work perfectly for you and your family.

Stay Safe This Fourth of July

June 25, 2018 By Han Su

Whether you are hitting the beach or having a backyard barbecue, 501 Pharmacy hopes you have a safe and happy Independence Day. We will be closed on Wednesday, July 4, but will resume our normal hours on Thursday, July 5.

A couple of years ago, the Red Cross issued a great list of safety tips for the fourth of July, that are still very relevant today. You can see the full list here but below we have highlighted some key points to help keep you and your family safe this holiday.

Fireworks Safety

Never give fireworks to small children, and always follow the instructions on the packaging.
Keep a supply of water close by as a precaution.
Make sure the person lighting fireworks always wears eye protection.
Light only one firework at a time and never attempt to relight “a dud.”
Store fireworks in a cool, dry place away from children and pets.
Never throw or point a firework toward people, animals, vehicles, structures or flammable materials.
Leave any area immediately where untrained amateurs are using fireworks.

Grilling Safety

Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use.
Never grill indoors – not in your house, camper, tent, or any enclosed area.
Make sure everyone, including the pets, stays away from the grill.
Keep the grill out in the open, away from the house, the deck, tree branches, or anything that could catch fire.
Use the long-handled tools specially made for cooking on the grill to keep the chef safe.
Never add charcoal starter fluid when coals have already been ignited.

Source: American Red Cross

Water Safety

Never leave your child unattended around water.
Only allow your children to swim in designated areas supervised by lifeguards or a responsible adult.
If you have a young child or inexperienced swimmer, have them wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Even if a child is wearing a life-jacket, they should still never be left unattended.
Adults should not swim while tired or intoxicated.
Adults should use the buddy system and never swim alone.

Source: Carolina Convenient Care

We hope you have a great holiday! Don’t forget, we will be closed on Wednesday, July 4.