Tips for reducing your skin cancer risk while enjoying outdoor activities

Warmer weather means more fun in the sun, which has many health benefits. Sunlight can boost your mood, strengthen your bones and promote the production of Vitamin D — an essential vitamin. But too many UV rays can also cause premature skin aging, sun-damaged skin and skin cancer.

Here are five ways to keep your skin safe while enjoying the sunshine.

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Wear sunscreen — and reapply it!

Whether it is sunny or cloudy, apply sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 about 30 minutes before going outside. Use a “broad-spectrum” sunscreen, which protects against UVA and UVB rays. Then reapply it about every 90 minutes, or more often, especially if you are sweating or swimming.

Cover up with sun-protective clothes and accessories

Covering up can help protect against UV rays, particularly for babies, young children and seniors. Remember the following:

A hat will protect your head and face from the sun, and provide shade to help you stay cool.
Light-colored, lightweight cotton fabric shirts and pants can block the sun’s UV rays and help you stay cool.
Do not forget about your eyes and lips! Wear sunglasses with UV protection lenses that are UV400. Apply a SPF lip balm and reapply it throughout the day.

Keep in mind the time of day

The sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so be especially careful outside during this time.

Check your skin regularly — and have a dermatologist do it annually

Get to know your skin so you can identify any changes. Like most cancers, early detection is key when it comes to treating and beating skin cancer. Nearly 99% of all skin cancers can be cured if they are diagnosed and treated early enough.

Learn the ABCDEs of your moles:

Asymmetry: Not uniform — one-half looks different from the other.
Border irregularity: Uneven shape.
Color: Different color or an irregular pattern.
Diameter: Bigger in size, in particular, larger than 6mm.
Evolving: Changing color, size, texture or starts to bleed.

See your doctor immediately if any of your moles show signs of the ABCDEs.

Get the straight facts on skin protection from trusted sources

There is a lot of helpful information available online about skin protection. However, watch out for the following myths. You can also talk with your doctor if you have questions about skin protection.

Myth: Sunscreen is bad for you.

Fact: Studies show benefits from sunscreen use, including protecting the skin from the sun and reducing skin cancer risk.

Sunscreen is safe. However, if you are concerned about wearing sunscreen, use “mechanical” sunblock such as zinc oxide, which is not absorbed into your body through your skin. You can also use a gel-based sunscreen rather than aerosol to prevention inhaling fumes.

Read the ingredients label on the sunscreen bottle to determine if you may have a reaction or sensitivity to an ingredient.

Myth: Base tans prevent burning.

Fact: A base tan is no substitute for good sun protection. Studies show just one session of indoor tanning increases the risk of skin cancer by 75% in people under the age of 35.

Bottom line: Warmer weather means more fun in the sun. Get the health benefits of sunlight while keeping your skin safe by applying sunscreen, wearing protective accessories and clothing, and knowing when the sun’s UV rays are strongest during the day. Take control of your skin’s health by learning the ABCDEs of your moles and getting information about sun safety from trusted sources.

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