Here are some tips for how you should INSPECT your skin for early signs of skin cancer and steps to take to PROTECT yourself from the sun’s damaging rays.
Risk Factors
While people with fair skin or a family history of skin cancer are at higher risk to develop skin cancer, no one should ever assume they are somehow ‘immune’ from effects sun exposure can have on your health.
According to the American Cancer Society you may at higher risk to develop skin cancer if you:
- Had skin cancer before
- Spend a lot of time outdoors
- Have had an organ transplant
- Have certain autoimmune diseases
- Have freckles and burn before tanning
- Take medicines that lower your immunity
- Have lots of moles, irregular moles, or large moles
- Have a family history of skin cancer, especially melanoma
- Take medicines increasing sensitivity to sunlight
- Live or vacation in tropical or subtropical climates
- Live or vacation at high altitudes (the strength of UV rays increases the higher up you are)
- Work indoors all week and then get intense sun exposure on weekends
- Have fair skin, blue or green eyes, or blond, red, or light brown hair
So now you know the risk factors, but can you identify a possible melanoma on yourself or a loved one?
It’s important to check your own skin, preferably once a month. A skin self-exam is best done in a well-lit room in front of a full-length mirror.
Use the acronym ABCDE when performing regular skin checks:
Asymmetry
Border
Color
Diameter
Evolving
Click here for a free body map to track your moles/freckles
Click here for guidance for how to do
a self skin check
Here are some tips for selecting sunscreen:
- SPF- A minimum SPF of 15 is recommended for daily use, however, a minimum SPF of 30 is recommended for extended sun exposure.
- Timing- As a rule it's best to apply sunscreen 20min before sun exposure and again every two hours. Always reapply after swimming or profuse sweating.
- Broad Spectrum- SPF applies only to UVB rays, but UVA rays can be just as damaging and may be even more closely associated with premature skin aging. Be sure your sunscreen protect against BOTH UVA & UVB rays.
- Infants- Babies younger than six months should NOT be in direct sunlight. Babies older than six months should have at least 30+SPF applied liberally every two hours. Just a few serious sunburns can increase your baby's risk of skin cancer later in life.
- Apply LIBERALLY- Most sun-lovers don't apply enough sunscreen for full coverage. Doctors recommend at least one ounce (enough to fill a shot glass) to ensure liberal coverage & protection from the sun's rays.
- Formulas- Sunscreens follow one of two formulas. "Chemical free" sunscreens are made with a heavy metal, usually oxidized zinc or titanium oxide. Zinc and titanium sit on the surface of the skin, serving as a reflective, protective cover against damaging sun rays. The other type of sunscreen is typically made with the chemicals Oxybenzone, benzones, aminobenzoic acid, and is referred to as "organic" or "chemical" sunscreen.
- Ingredients- Oxybenzone is an endocrine disruptor that mimics estrogen- a concern for many people who try to avoid synthetic hormones. "Chemical" sunscreens also have a shorter half-life and break down after two hours. "Chemical Free" sunscreens last longer but are often chalky and leave an opaque residue and may be linked to environmental pollution. Research on your own to find the best formula for your needs.
- Beyond sunscreen- To ensure full protection against the sun wear a lip balm with SPF, sunglasses that have UV protection, and a hat to shade your face from direct rays.
BONUS TIP: Did you know your clothing can literally become sunscreen?
SunGuard™ is an easy-to-use laundry aid that washes UV protection into clothes.
SunGuard™ is an easy-to-use laundry aid that washes UV protection into clothes.
Add one package of SunGuard to a load of laundry, and you wash a skin-saving ultraviolet protection factor of UPF 30 into every garment and protect against damaging rays for up to 20 washings.