3 Important Sun Protection Tips You Should Know

The most common type of cancer in the United States is skin cancer. Westlake Village-based dermatologist Dr. Peterson Pierre explains that nearly all types of skin cancer can be successfully treated if they are spotted and treated at their earliest stage.

As you may already be aware, sun exposure is the No. 1 risk factor related to skin cancer, which is why so many dermatologists urge people to do whatever they can to avoid excess ultraviolet radiation exposure. The sun’s rays not only burn your skin, but also penetrate the layers and damage the DNA, leading to mutations that can cause cancerous cells to form. Furthermore, too much unprotected sun exposure can cause your skin to age at a faster rate. Ultraviolet radiation damages the connective fibers of the skin, resulting in the formation of wrinkles and the loss of skin elasticity.

With this in mind, many people wonder: Are tanning beds safe? The answer is a resounding no. It’s not just the sun itself that you should worry about, but also artificial sources of UV light—like tanning beds, which are just as harmful as the sun (if not more so). According to The Skin Cancer Foundation, even just one indoor tanning session before the age of 35increases the risk of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer, by 75 percent.

One of the common misconceptions about tanning is that having a bronze glow is “healthy.” Many people think of a tan as being attractive, but the truth is that gradually baking the skin to create a base tan is not a sign of good skin health, nor will it protect your skin against burns. In fact, skin care experts believe that there is no such thing as a “safe” tan, because the darkening of your skin due to the increase in skin pigment is itself a sign of damage.

You wouldn’t want to completely rule out spending time outside, because it’s a great way to get some exercise, reduce stress, and get vitamin D. However, sun protection is vital. Continue reading for some tips to keep your skin protected all year round.

Seek Shade

Whenever possible, stay shaded under an umbrella, tree, or shelter. Even if you’re spending most of the time in the shade, this doesn’t mean you should leave out other sun protection methods, such as applying sunscreen.

Apply Sunscreen

Even on cloudy and cool days, your skin is still being bombarded by UV rays, so you should wear sunscreen all year round, regardless of what the weather is like. Apply about one ounce of sunscreen 15 to 30 minutes before you go outside. Don’t forget to also apply balm containing SPF to your lips. The sunscreen you use should be broad-spectrum, have an SPF of at least 30, and be water-resistant.

Be Wary of How the Sun Reflects Off of Surfaces

Be cautious about surfaces such as cement, sand, water, and snow, since these substances all reflect harmful rays. Be sure to wear sunscreen when you’re around these surfaces.

In addition to protection strategies, it’s important to routinely monitor your skin for signs of skin cancer. A simple way to look for potential melanomas when you’re looking at moles on the skin is to apply the ABCDE rule. A is for asymmetry, meaning that the two halves of the mole wouldn’t match if a line were drawn down the center. B is for border, referring to an irregular, blurry, or poorly defined border. C stands for color, meaning that the mole is an irregular color like white, red, blue, or a combination of several colors. D stands for diameter, so moles that are larger than 6 mms could be a cause for concern. E is for evolving, which means if you’re noticing changes to an existing mole or seeing new symptoms, you should have the lesion checked.

If you have a spot on your skin that seems unusual or is showing new symptoms, it’s best to get it looked at. For more advice about ways to prevent, diagnose, and treat skin cancer, contact Westlake Village’s Pierre Skin Care Institute. Call 805-496-9190 or submit a contact form online to request a consultation.