Spring is in full swing and for many people across the country, it means the sun is coming out and temperatures are warming up. The sun coming out means exposed skin and that also means increased risk of skin cancer. Many people think the summer is the most dangerous time for sunburn, but in fact, sunburn can occur at any time during the year and in nearly any type of weather. Follow these dermatologist recommended skin care tips for staying safe in the sun.
Use sunscreen at all times
Use a sunscreen labeled as broad spectrum with an SPF of 15 or higher on every day that you are out in the elements. If you plan to be outdoors for an extended time, make sure to use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply about one tablespoon all over exposed skin 30 minutes before you go outside and remember to apply every two hours if swimming or sweating excessively.
Seek shade to protect your skin from harmful rays
If you are outside, even with sunscreen, seek the shade whenever possible. The hours between 10AM and 4PM have the strongest sun. Do not expose more skin than you have to. Wear hats, longer clothing and UV-protecting sunglasses whenever possible. Not all clothing is made equal. A white t-shirt provides an Ultraviolet Protection Factor of five, while blue jeans provide 1700. If you want to be especially safe, look for clothing with a UPF label.
Follow the advice of your OC dermatologist to prevent skin cancer
Avoid burning by following the above tips. Burning increases your risk of skin cancer every time you do it. Just one sunburn increases your risk of the deadliest skin cancer in melanoma. Five sunburns doubles your lifetime risk. By the same token, do not go out of your way to tan in the sun either. Tanning is nearly as bad as burning, as it is actually the skin’s method of trying to prevent further damage, although the damage has already been done. Never use UV tanning beds, no matter how safe they claim to be.
Make sure that newborns are not exposed to direct sunlight and make sure to use appropriate sunscreen on children over six months.
If you find yourself in the sun without protection, make sure to seek cover if you feel your skin become hot or it starts to redden.