After a long winter in the nation’s capital, few things are more pleasurable than spending time in the warm summer sun. Unfortunately, all that sun exposure increases your risk of skin cancer. But preventing skin cancer is probably a lot easier than you think.
At Metroderm DC: Medical, Laser, and Aesthetic Dermatology Center, our team of Edward Stolar, MD, Todd Perkins, MD, and Adrianna Gonzales, MD, FAAD, offer state-of-the-art treatments for skin cancer, as well as guidance to help prevent cancer in the future.
In this post, learn nine simple steps you can take to protect your skin and reduce your skin cancer risk this summer and all year long.
Yes, everyday, even on cloudy days. It’s not the brightness of the sun that damages your skin — it’s the ultraviolet (UV) rays, invisible radiation powerful enough to penetrate cloud cover. Choose a sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30, regardless of your skin tone or type.
Use at least an ounce (about a full shot glass) to cover your body, and reapply every two hours — more often if you’re sweating or swimming. Don’t forget to apply it to your ears, neck, hands, the tops of your feet, and any other skin exposed to the sun’s rays.
Your lips are exposed to your sun as much as the rest of your face, yet when it comes to protection, they’re often ignored. To prevent sun damage and reduce your risk of cancer, wear a lip balm designed to block the sun’s UV rays.
While you should never skip sunscreen, you can add an additional layer of protection by wearing long-sleeved tops, lightweight pants or long skirts, UV-blocking sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face, ears, scalp, and neck.
The sun’s rays tend to be strongest during midday. Ideally, avoid being outdoors between 10am and 4pm, or if you must be outside, try to stay in the shade.
It’s not just direct sun exposure that can harm your skin. Reflected sunlight can do damage, too. That includes sun reflected from water and sand. Take extra precautions to protect your skin if you’re near either.
Contrary to popular belief, a suntan is not the same as a healthy glow. In fact, if you have a tan, that’s a sign your skin has actually been damaged by the sun’s rays. That’s true whether you get your tan from the sun or from tanning beds.
This year, skip the tan and flaunt your naturally beautiful skin. If you really want that suntanned look, opt for spray tans or self-tanning products instead.
Your skin benefits from plenty of moisture to maintain its natural protective barrier and to repair itself after sun exposure.
Wearing moisturizer is important, but one of the best ways to hydrate skin is to moisturize from within. That means drinking plenty of water throughout the day. Add some berries, melon cubes, or cucumber for a zip of flavor and added antioxidants.
Make monthly skin checks part of your regular health routine, looking for unusual changes in your skin, like moles that have changed in appearance or new moles or rough patches. If you notice anything unusual, don’t delay — call our office and schedule a skin exam right away.
In addition to monthly at-home checks, schedule an annual skin checkup with our team. Our doctors are skilled in identifying the subtlest signs of skin cancer, so we can treat you as early as possible.
Sun safety doesn’t have to be complicated. Incorporating these simple tips into your routine helps protect your skin, reduce your risk of cancer, avoid visible signs of aging, and improve your overall health.
To schedule your annual skin exam or to have our team check an unusual lesion, request an appointment online or over the phone at our Washington, DC, office of Metroderm DC today.
