How to Stay Protected During Skin Cancer Awareness Month

May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness of the most common—and preventable—type of cancer in the United States. As the weather warms and you spend more time outside, it’s essential to take proactive steps to protect your skin.

How to protect your skin in summer

The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that experiencing five or more sunburns doubles your risk for melanoma. Protecting your skin reduces your risk of developing skin cancer and early signs of skin aging, like deep wrinkles and age spots.

Some ways to prevent sun-damaged skin include:

• Apply sunscreen with a Sun Protective Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher that offers protection from harmful ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays.
• Reapply sunscreen if you stay out in the sun for more than two hours after swimming or doing things that make you sweat.
• Wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face, head, ears and neck.
• Wear UVA/UVB-rated sunglasses to protect your eyes.
• Wear sun-protective clothing, like long-sleeved shirts and pants.
• Spend time in the shade.
• Take special care to protect your skin between 10 am and 4 pm in the summer.
• Avoid tanning beds.

Can sunscreen prevent skin cancer?

Sunscreen alone isn’t enough to keep you safe in the sun, but it is an essential part of a sun protection strategy that safeguards your skin against sun damage and skin cancer.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends choosing a sunscreen with a label that states:

• Broad spectrum means that sunscreen protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays, which can increase your risk of cancer.
• SPF 30 or higher. This designation shows how well a sunscreen protects against sunburn. The number represents how long the sun’s UV radiation would take to redden your skin when using the product exactly as directed versus the same amount of time without any sunscreen. For example, applying an SPF of 30 would take 30 times longer to burn your skin than if you weren’t wearing sunscreen.
• Water resistant. Sunscreens are advertised as “water resistant” or “very water resistant,” but no sunscreen is completely waterproof or sweatproof. That’s why they should be reapplied every two hours, especially if you are swimming or sweating.

Most adults need about one ounce of sunscreen (enough to fill a shot glass) to fully cover their bodies.

Don’t rely on high-SPF sunscreens alone. No single method of sun defense protects you perfectly, even though sunscreen is a critical part of the process.

Take skin protection seriously

As we observe Skin Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important to remember that protecting your skin is a year-round commitment—especially during the sunny summer months. By taking these simple steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of skin cancer and keep your skin healthy for years to come.

If you have sun damage or notice any changes in your skin, schedule a skin check with a North Oaks dermatologist. Early skin cancer detection significantly increases the chances of successful, less invasive treatment.

Call North Oaks Dermatology Associates at (985) 230-APPT [2778] to make an appointment today.