How to Prevent Skin Cancer: 5 Tips from a Dermatologist

 


In the past few decades, skin cancer awareness has grown substantially. It’s now common for people to know their risk of developing skin cancer by UV light exposure and to understand how sunscreen can help protect against the disease. Or so you might think. According to a recent survey conducted by the American Academy of Dermatology, only a third of Americans understand that they are at risk of skin cancer from overexposure to sunlight. 


In fact, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, melanoma rates have continued to rise over the past two decades. Melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. More than 22,000 people are diagnosed with some type of skin cancer every year. As summer approaches, you may feel inclined to ditch your sunscreen in favor of getting a nice tan. But dermatologists are warning men and women alike that there is no safe way to get a tan from sunlight – an increased risk of skin cancer is the tradeoff for any potential benefits. There are many things you can do to protect yourself against this disease, including following these tips from board-certified dermatologists at www.SchweigerDerm.com.

 

Be Smart About UV Exposure



One of the key ways to avoid skin cancer is to avoid overexposure to UV light. While the sun’s UVA and UVB rays can both increase your risk of developing skin cancer, UVA rays are particularly dangerous because they penetrate deeper into the skin, where they can directly damage DNA. Ultraviolet rays can also accelerate the aging process, causing premature wrinkles and age spots on the skin. To protect yourself against UV radiation, it’s crucial to understand how much time you should spend in the sun. The amount of UV rays your skin is exposed to depends on a number of factors, including the time of day, the amount of cloud cover, and the strength of UV rays in the particular area you’re in.

 

Keep an Eye Out for Skin Changes


One of the most common warning signs of skin cancer is an irregularly pigmented mole. You should also be on the lookout for changes in the texture or color of your skin. Note any new or persistent rashes or growths on your body and be sure to have them checked out by a dermatologist, as these could be warning signs of skin cancer. If you find a suspicious mole on your skin, you should have it examined by a dermatologist as soon as possible. While it’s impossible to catch every single skin cancer, you can reduce your risk of contracting the disease by closely monitoring your skin and obtaining regular skin examinations by a medical professional.

 

Use Sunscreen Everyday


Even if you don’t plan to spend a lot of time in the sun, you should still wear sunscreen. Be sure to factor in the sunscreen application before any outdoor activities. Even just a 15-minute walk can increase your risk of UV ray exposure by 50%, so it’s important to protect yourself and your skin with sunscreen. If you have fair skin, have a family history of skin cancer, or work outdoors, you should be using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. You should also be sure to apply sunscreen generously, to ensure that you aren’t missing any spots. Finally, you should reapply sunscreen after swimming or sweating to ensure continued coverage.

 

Wear Protective Clothing


Wearing clothing that protects your skin from UV rays can be an important part of preventing skin cancer. You should avoid wearing sleeveless tops and shorts when possible, and be sure to wear a hat when you’re outside. Similarly, you should make a point of shielding your face with a pair of sunglasses whenever you’re in a UV-risky environment. While you should wear clothing to protect yourself from UV exposure, you should also make a point of choosing fabrics that shield your skin from UV rays. Fabrics such as cotton, linen, and polyester are typically recommended for sun protection, including when worn as clothing.

 

Don’t Forget the SPF Protection


As discussed above, sunscreen is one of the most effective ways to prevent skin cancer. Be sure to use a high-SPF sunscreen when you’re outside, and be sure to apply it generously. You should also be sure to reapply your sunscreen every two hours or after sweating or swimming to ensure continued protection against UV rays. While the SPF rating indicates a sunscreen’s ability to protect against UVB rays, it doesn’t indicate its ability to shield against UVA radiation. To be sure that your sunscreen protects against both UVB and UVA rays, look for a sunscreen labeled as “broad spectrum” protection.

 

Conclusion


As the above article has shown, protecting yourself against skin cancer is as simple as being smart about UV exposure and using sunscreen. To really reduce your risk of contracting skin cancer, you should also be on the lookout for skin changes and be sure to have protected against both UVB and UVA rays.

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