The weather is starting to heat up, which means many of us will be heading to the beach or the pool to cool off and work on our fabulous tans, but before you head out to soak up the sun, The Women’s Dermatologic Society has released some sun safety tips to help prevent skin cancer, which is on the rise, particularly among 15-29 year olds. So, follow these sun safety tips so you can enjoy your summer and reduce your risk of skin cancer at the same time.
- Apply a UVA and UVB sunscreen (broad-spectrum) with an SPF of 15 or higher 30 minutes before going outdoors.
- Use a golf-ball sized amount of sunscreen (one ounce) to cover your entire body.
- Re-apply every two hours-even on a cloudy or cool day.
- Completely coat all exposed areas of your face, head and body, ears neck, nose shoulders, back of the hands and front/back of your arms and legs.
- Cover you lips with sun protective lip balm or sunscreen.
- Check expiration dates on your sunscreen to ensure effectiveness.
- Seek shade whenever possible, and cover yourself with a golf umbrella between holes.
- Wear a broad-brimmed hat (preferably with a back flap) instead of baseball caps to help protect your face, ears and neck.
- Protect your eyes with UV-protective sunglasses
- Wear sun protective clothing (tightly woven) including long pants and long- sleeved shirts as often as possible.
You should see your dermatologist if:
- Any skin lesion that crusts, bleeds or does not heal should be examined by a dermatologist promptly.
- Moles that itch, bleed or change in size, shape, or color should be examined promptly.
- Have your skin thoroughly examined by a dermatologist at least once a year, or as recommend by your dermatologist.
Photo Credit: msn health
