Spring is here! As you enjoy the warmer weather, remember to take care of your body’s largest organ—your skin! May is Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month. According to the National Skin Cancer Foundation, one out of every five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70.
Here are seven simple practices to reduce your skin’s UV exposure:
- Wear sunscreen every day! This is your best protection against skin damage. For an average-sized adult, you should be applying about one ounce of sunscreen to fully cover your body (enough to fill a shot glass). Be careful with SPF makeup; it is beneficial but should not be your sole method of sun protection.
- Know the UV index. The UV index is found wherever you check your weather. Cloudy days can still have a high UV index. The highest UV index is usually between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Skip the tan. Our culture celebrates the summer tan, but, in reality, skin tans are evidence of skin damage. Over time, tanning ages the skin and increases your risk of skin cancer. Even if your skin does not burn in the sun, you are still susceptible to UV skin damage and need to protect your skin.
- Let it soak in. Apply sunscreen 15 to 20 minutes before going outside. Learn about SPF here, and aim to use 30+ SPF.
- Reapply! Reapply every 90 minutes when outside, regardless of the SPF number of your sunblock or if it’s waterproof. If you are inside most of the day, it is safe to reapply every 4 to 6 hours.
- Wear protective clothing. Be sure to check the label for use: UPF = ultraviolet protection factor. 15 is the lowest rating; 50+ is the highest rating.
- Don’t forget your eyes, ears and lips. Wear hats, SPF lip balm and UV-blocking sunglasses for added protection against UV-related eye conditions.
Early detection saves lives. Skin changes as we age, whether we like it or not. The best way to evaluate these changes is to perform a self-exam by following these simple instructions. Follow the pneumonic ABDCE to identify abnormalities, and get checked by your dermatologist:
Asymmetry – one half of the spot is different than the other half
Border – the spot has a scalloped line around it, or the line is not clearly defined
Color – the spot is not uniform in color from one area to the next
Diameter – the spot is larger than 6mm (the diameter of a pencil eraser)
Evolving – the spot changes in size, color, shape over time
Several innovative solutions are available for daily sun protection, including tinted and clear mineral sunscreens, powdered and roll-on sunscreens, and a variety of UPF clothing and hats.
Additionally, Carroll Hospital’s Tevis Center for Wellness holds periodic free skin cancer screenings. View our online calendar of wellness events or call 410-871-7000 for more information. Your skin will thank you for caring about sun protection—take it seriously and enjoy those sweet summer days!
Kirsten Ambrose is an RN community educator in the Tevis Center for Wellness.
Sources:
American Academy of Ophthalmology – The Sun, UV Light and Your Eyes
American Academy of Dermatology Association – Sunscreen FAQs
Cleveland Clinic – Does Sun Protection Clothing Actually Work
National Cancer Institute – Skin Cancer Prevention
Skin Cancer Foundation – Tanning; Ask the Expert: How Often Do I Need to Reapply Sunscreen If I’m Indoors All Day?
