Reduce Your Risk of Skin Cancer

As August comes to an end and fall quickly approaches, we say goodbye to another summer. Although people tend to focus on skin protection more throughout the summer months, don’t put away your sunscreen just yet.

As many people are now aware, sun exposure can damage skin cells and cause cancer. What many don’t realize, however, is that sun damage can still occur during the fall and winter months. For this reason, we have compiled a list of tips to keep your skin healthy all year long.

1. Sunscreen! The first defense against harmful UV rays should always be sunscreen. Even individuals who work indoors are exposed to sunlight throughout the day. Individuals who use a moisturizer and lip balm each day should make sure they contain SPF. This will make sun protection easy to remember and can easily fit into your morning routine.
   
   When shopping for sunscreen, be sure to choose a kind that offers both UVA and UVB protection. Purchase a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. If you are looking for a more heavy-duty sunscreen, select a water resistant variety. When in the sun for long periods of time, make sure you reapply your sun screen every few hours.
2. Clothing! Clothing is one of the most effective forms of sun protection. In the winter months it’s easy to bundle up and keep skin safe from harm. Unfortunately, wearing protective clothing is a lot more difficult when it’s warm out. If you plan on being in the sun for a long amount of time, wear a large hat to protect your face. Also invest in some lightweight, protective clothing for the summer months.
3. Protect your eyes! Even the most sun-conscious individuals can forget to protect their eyes from harmful rays. Not only can the sun damage your vision, but it can also cause certain types of eye cancers. Protect your eyes by wearing sunglasses outdoors. Be sure to select a pair that blocks at least 99% of the sun’s UV rays.
4. Protect your family! Although it is important to remind all family members to protect their skin, it is especially important to teach your children about the harmful effects of the sun. Children and infants are especially sensitive to UV rays. Even when you aren’t vacationing on the beach, help your child apply sunblock every single day. Infants, who are often very sensitive to the chemicals in sunscreen, should not be exposed to sunlight without protective clothing. For school-age children, provide teachers with an extra bottle of sunscreen and a protective hat to be used at recess.

If you end up getting a sun burn be sure to use mild soaps and take lukewarm showers. Moisturize the area with an unscented moisturizer. See your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Blistering of the skin
• Tiredness, fatigue, or weakness
• Nausea and/or vomiting
• Chills
• Headaches
• Sun burn that does not improve after two days

In the comment section below, tell us how you protect your skin! 

Additional Resources 

• Compassionate Allowance for Skin Malignant Melanoma With Metastases