As summer approaches us, I figured it was appropriate to remind ourselves of the risks the sun poses. Don't get me wrong, I love putting on my sunnies, a sundress, and sandals before heading off out for a nice walk in the park. But did you know that skin cancers are the most common cancers in the United States? No fun in my opinion.
So what are some risk factors? Well, unprotected (meaning you ditched the sunscreen) and/or excessive exposure to UV rays, having a fair skin tone (count me in on that one), odd shaped/colored moles, and severe sunburns. I'm sure we all can admit we've experienced at least one of these. The good news is, however, that we can PREVENT skin cancer from even bothering us if we take the right steps!
The most important prevention strategy we can take is limiting our exposure to strong sunlight. It is also very important to look at your skin regularly for any odd signs that perhaps weren't there before. Here are some other tips & tricks I find handy:
- Avoid the sun between 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
- Look for shade
- Cover up with clothing made of tightly woven fabrics
- USE SUNSCREEN & lip balm with SPF 15 or higher, even on overcast days
- Wear a wide-brimmed hat & sunnies (sunglasses)
- Avoid tanning beds (sidenote here: I understand that some of us are going to use tanning beds regardless of what experts say. If you fall into this category, please just keep in mind that everything is best when used in MODERATION; end of soapbox)
None of this is meant to scare you, or deter you from enjoying those beautiful sunny days we have all been waiting for. Just remember to protect yourself so you can keep enjoying them for a long time down the road!
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