5 Sun Safety Tips for Reducing Your Skin Cancer Risk

The same sun that nourishes us can also scar us.

YES YOU HEARD IT RIGHT

Sun, The Friend and The Foe- is often referred to as the ultimate source of life as it plays a very vital role in our lives and solar system. Without it, life on Earth would not exist. It provides light, heat, and energy. Also plays a significant role in influencing weather patterns and in the growth of plants through photosynthesis, thus in short controls the life of our planet earth. Sun brightens our days, lifts our moods, and gives us that healthy summer glow. So how come FOE !? Beneath the golden glow of the sun lies an invisible threat. Because as helpful and good it is, it can also pose significant dangers to human skin. Sun Rays consist of harmful UV Rays which can damage the skin’s cellular structure. There are mainly two types of UV rays-UVA and UVB. While UVA penetrates the skin more deeply and contributes to aging, UVB is responsible for sunburn. Both can damage the DNA in skin cells, potentially leading to skin cancer. So one should never underestimate the risks associated with excessive sun exposure. As we all know, Vitamin D from sunlight is essential for our health. However, if sunrays can also be harmful, how do we deal with this contradiction? Let’s explore in detail how the sun damages the skin and understand the importance of protective measures to prevent skin cancer.

 1. Let’s begin with the first step. The one we all know but rarely take seriously, often end up ignoring it. Yes, you guessed it right- sunscreen. It’s the first line of defense against the sun’s invisible, harmful rays.

One MUST always choose the Right Sunscreen & Apply It Regularly.

While choosing sunscreen for yourself go for sunscreens with Broad-spectrum protection that helps in blocking both UVA and UVB rays. Go for sunscreens with SPF 30 for normal use and SPF 50+ if your skin is exposed to the sun rays for prolonged duration.

Choose Water-resistant products if you go for swimming or sweating. And reapply every 40–80 minutes as mentioned.

You can also choose between Mineral and Chemical Sunscreens depending on your skin type. Use Mineral sunscreens which mostly consists of zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, that sit on the skin and deflect UV rays. This is an ideal sunscreen for sensitive skin while Chemical sunscreens consisting of:-avobenzone, oxybenzone,  absorb UV rays. These are often lighter but may irritate some skin types.

Take some handful amount and apply your sunscreen properly, don’t forget the key areas: Ears, neck, hands and feet. You can also protect your lips from UV Rays using SPF lip balm.Reapply every 2 hours, or immediately after swimming, sweating, or towel drying.

Myth Busting:

“Dark skin doesn’t need sunscreen.” False-while melanin provides some protection, all skin types can develop skin cancer.

“High SPF means all-day protection.” No—SPF indicates UVB protection duration, but reapplication is still necessary.

2. If you are aware of being exposed to the sunlight for longer hours, prefer to wear Sun-Protective Clothing & Accessories. For Example:  Opt for UPF Clothing. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor, these blocks 98% of UV rays. Go for tightly woven fabrics, dark or bright colors offer better protection than white. You can even go for long-sleeved shirts & pants with lightweight, breathable fabrics for comfort.

You can add accessories that while adding elegance and class to your outfit will also protect you from sunlight like wide-brimmed hat (3+ inches) to shield face, ears, neck and UV-blocking sunglasses. 

Pro Tip:

Regular clothing has varying UPF, a white cotton T-shirt may only provide UPF 5–7. For extended sun exposure, opt for UPF-rated apparel.

3. Avoid Tanning Beds & Prevent getting Sunburnt.

Tanning beds emit UVA rays 10-15 times stronger than the sun.This emissions can accelerate skin aging and cancer risk. Just one indoor tanning session before age 35 increases melanoma risk by 75%.Tanning can be in trend and may sound very fun but any stage of melanoma isn’t, so instead go with tan sprays or self-tanners.  

Similarly one blistering sunburn in childhood doubles melanoma risk later in life. Mild sunburns can cause DNA damage, increasing skin cancer risk over time. So heading back to Tip 1 NEVER forget Sunscreen.

4. Always seek shade and choose Time for Outdoor Activities wisely. Keeping this in mind can reduce UV damage. The UV Index which ranges from 0 to 11+  measures the sun’s daily intensity. Protection becomes necessary at level 3 or higher, while readings of 8-10+ signal very high risk that demands extra precautions. Plan outdoor activities for early morning or late afternoon, avoiding peak sun hours between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when UV rays are strongest. So if you are staying outdoor during these hours it’s best to seek shelter under umbrellas, trees, or shade structures during this time. But don’t let shade give you false security – reflective surfaces like sand, water, and snow can bounce UV rays back at you, increasing your exposure. Even cloudy days aren’t safe: up to 80% of harmful UV radiation penetrates cloud cover, which is why applying sunscreen should be part of your daily routine regardless of the weather.

5. Perform Regular Skin Checks & See a Dermatologist.

Self-Exams: The ABCDE Rule for Moles

Skin cancer can be easily detected at home by few quick easy steps.It is important to keep a track of yourself and perform a skin self exam to detect any early signs of skin cancer.But Let’s first understand What Signs Or Symptoms to look for:

Skin-Self exam is based on the ABCDE Rule which is as follows:-

• A-Asymmetry: One half of a mole doesn’t match the other.

• B- Border: Edges are irregular, ragged, or blurred.

• C-Color: The color is not uniform and consists of shades of brown, black, pink, red, white, or blue.

• D-Diameter: The spot is larger than 6mm (about the size of a pencil eraser), though melanomas can be smaller.

• E-Evolving: The mole changes in size, shape, or color and in not constant and may even cause itching/ bleeding.

Stand in-front of mirror and keep a track of any changes you see in your body. 

And if you see any above mentioned changes, look for Skin Check Near Me in the web and go see a Dermatologist ASAP.