Cancers of the skin are the most common of all types in the country, and most of them are caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. They can also be caused by excessive exposure to tanning booths or sunlamps. Fair-skinned people who have less melanin in their skin are more susceptible to skin cancer. However, dark-skinned people can get skin cancer too. Now, here are some prevention tips for skin cancer that you can keep in mind:
Seek Shade
One of the prevention tips for skin cancer is that you should avoid the 10 am to 4 pm Sun because it’s the strongest during these hours. You should seek shade if you are bigger than your shadow.
Wear Protective Clothing
You should wear a light long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses when going out in the sun. Wearing such clothes will help you avoid any unwanted UV rays and reduce the chances of melanoma.
Sunscreen with SPF
Another one of the prevention tips for skin cancer is to apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF of 30 or higher when going out in the sun. Broad-spectrum sunscreen provides protection from both UVA and UVB rays. You need to use sunscreen whenever you are going outside, even on cloudy days. Sunscreen must be applied even in areas that are covered by clothing. Most adults need about an ounce or enough to fill a shot glass to fully cover their body. You should also apply the sunscreen on the tops of your feet, your neck, and your ears. When you are outside, you should reapply the sunscreen after every two hours for maximum effectiveness.
Avoid Tanning Beds
One of the important prevention tips for skin cancer is that you should avoid tanning beds and booths. Ultraviolet light from tanning beds can cause skin cancer and premature skin aging. Whether tanning is due to the sun’s UV rays or a visit to an indoor salon, every time there is a tan, your skin gets damaged. The damage also speeds up the aging process of your skin and increases the risk of all types of skin cancer, including melanoma, the deadliest one. If you want to tan yourself under the sun, use sunscreen to avoid damage to skin and to prevent skin cancer.
Regular Skin Self-exams
To detect skin cancer early on and when it is treatable, you should self-exam your skin from head to toe. If you notice new or suspicious spots on your skin, any change, itching or bleeding, see a certified dermatologist.
When you are near water, snow, and sand, you should be extra cautious as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun, which increases your chance of sunburn. So, keep these prevention tips for skin cancer in mind and stay safe. If you are someone who has a high risk of getting this cancer, consult a dermatologist for more guidance.