Dermatologist-Recommended Things to do to Prevent Skin Cancer

There is a number of ways in which you can protect yourselves from skin cancer. According to Mohs dermatology Parker CO specialists, staying away from ultraviolet rays can come a long way.

Shade

Thus, you should look for shade when it feels necessary. You need to keep in mind that sun’s rays are stronger during the middle of the day, namely between 10 and 2 p.m. So you should avoid exposing your body to direct sunlight around this time.

Clothing

At the same time, you should wear clothing which offers protection against the harmful effects of UV rays. Your clothes should be lightweight and have long sleeves, and should be colored in lighter tones, so as not to cause your body to overheat and generate even more problems.

Sunscreen

In the summertime, applying sunscreen should be done before you go out, even on rainy days. That is because weather often changes quickly during this time of the year, and you can find yourselves having to deal with a lot of heat.

The quantity of sunscreen you apply also is very important. Thus, most adults need about one ounce of sunscreen to cover all the vulnerable parts of their skin.

At the same time, you should remember to apply sunscreen to often neglected areas such as the top of your feet, the ears, and the top of your head or your neck.

When you are outside on a hot summer day, you must apply sunscreen at least every two hours or after swimming. In case you found yourselves in the proximity of water or sand, you need to be extra cautious because these elements tend to reflect the harmful sun rays, and therefore your chances of sunburn can dramatically increase.

Avoid tanning beds – or at least apply sunscreen

Tanning beds are not very recommended, because they can lead to skin cancer or cause premature aging, two conditions that no one is willing to have to deal with.

In case you want to use a self-tanning product, remember to also apply sunscreen. As far as sunscreen is concerned, there are certain things you need to look after while you are in the process of choosing the right product for your specific needs.

What is a good sunscreen?

First of all, the sunscreen should have a broad spectrum. This implies that the product can protect your skin from both types of ultraviolet rays, namely from UVA and UVB rays.

Also, a good sunscreen should have a SPF which is at least 30, and a higher SPF can indicate a stronger protection. The best type of sunscreen is also waterproof. In other words, it can stay on sweaty or wet skin for a certain amount of time, before you may need to apply again. Water resistance usually refers to a period between 40 and 80 minutes. You should know that not all sunscreens are resistant to water, so you need to check on this detail before you make your purchase.

Diet

Diet can also help prevent skin cancer. For instance, foods with a high content of beta carotene and lycopene are highly recommended. Omega 3 fatty acids and polyphenols are also equally important for skin cancer prevention.