We’re rapidly approaching the beginning of summer. Warmer weather signals summer vacations, barbecues, beach/pool days, and just a lot of beautiful vitamin D exposure. It also comes with a lot of UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) exposure which opens us up to risk of skin cancer.
Every time we get a tan or sunburn, our skin experiences DNA damage, which increases our risk of developing skin cancer. We need to be strategic and consistent with protecting our skin.
Wear sunscreen everyday. I recommend a minimum of SPF 30 for daily use. Initial application should always be a cream, lotion, or gel formulation for even coverage. Heat increases sweat and oil production, which breaks down sun protection over time. This means that on days you plan on staying out in the sun, reapplication every two hours is necessary.
Annual checkup with a dermatologist. Please see a dermatologist once a year for an annual checkup. Early detection is key for better treatment outcomes. The American Academy of Dermatology also provided guidelines to empower us to keep track of any suspicious lesions that need us to visit our dermatologist sooner rather than later: https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/at-risk/abcdes
Monitor the UV Index. The UV Index is an excellent tool to keep track of when we plan on spending a day outdoors. While some of the sunscreen recommendations are severely outdated, it'll keep you informed on the times of day to actively seek shade.
Wear protective clothing. Clothing with a Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) rating has been tested on how much UV protection it provides to the skin. Not all clothing has a UPF rating simply because those brands haven’t invested to get their items tested. Simple answer as to why: it’s an expensive process. Wearing UPF clothing gives you more security but wearing any wide brimmed hat and sunglasses can help boost your sun protection. If it has a UPF rating on the label, even better.
We should practice these safe sun habits year round but it’s always good to have a reminder before summer gets into full swing. The days are getting longer, temperatures are rising and I know we’re all looking forward to days at the beach or poolside. Let’s make it our summer goal to #practicesafesun!
Chien, Anna MD, and Heidi Jacobe MD. "Sunburn & Your Skin." SkinCancer.Org, www.skincancer.org/risk-factors/sunburn/. Accessed 21 May 2024.
"What to Look For: ABCDEs of Melanoma." American Academy of Dermatology, www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/at-risk/abcdes. Accessed 21 May 2024.
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