May is Skin Cancer Prevention Month. It’s the perfect time to think about protecting your skin because you will likely be spending more time outside. One of the easiest and most effective ways to protect your skin is to apply sunscreen before you go outside. The board-certified dermatologists at Feinstein Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach, FL, provide a wide range of dermatology services, including skin cancer screenings and prevention tips on how to avoid skin cancer.
What You Need To Know About Skin Cancer Prevention and Sunscreen
The harmful effects of the sun accumulate. That means all the time you spent outside in the sun as a teen causes skin damage that may not show up until years later. Applying sunscreen at any age can help protect your skin against the harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun.
Sunscreen is formulated with a sun protection factor or SPF. These are some of the guidelines for applying sunscreen:
- You should wear sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day regardless if outside as you can even get sun rays while driving in the car
- Make sure to apply sunscreen to all exposure areas including the back of your hands
- Reapply sunscreen after being in the water
- Reapply sunscreen every couple of hours
There are other steps you can take in addition to wearing sunscreen. Remember to wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunglasses. You should also try to avoid:
- Continuous sunlight between 10 AM and 4 PM, when ultraviolet rays are the most harmful
- Using tanning booths, tanning lamps, or other tanning equipment
Everyone is at risk of developing skin cancer. In fact, over 3.3 million people will be treated in the US for skin cancers other than melanoma. Don’t put yourself at risk. Wear sunscreen.
Protect Yourself Against Skin Cancer
To learn more about skin cancer prevention and the importance of wearing sunscreen, call the providers at Feinstein Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach, FL. You can reach them in the office by calling (561) 692-6422 or toll-free at (888) 357-DERM, so call today.
