4 simple ways to reduce your skin cancer risk
Avoid the sun’s harmful effects with these tips from a Brigham and Women’s dermatologist.
The American Cancer Society estimates that about 8,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. And New England has some of the highest rates of skin cancer in the country. In fact, according to the CDC, Vermont has the third highest incidence rate of melanoma in the country.
Dr. Emily Stamell Ruiz, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, said that there’s more to protecting your skin than just putting on sunscreen. Here, she provides four tips for protecting your skin this summer.
1. Use SPF 30 daily
Ruiz tells patients to use a moisturizer with SPF after washing or shaving in the morning. That way, she said, you at least have something on your face every day since you can get sun exposure just walking to and from your car.
“Even in the winter when you go outside you will be getting some sun exposure,” she said.
If you know you’ll be in the sun, Ruiz suggests applying two tablespoons of at least SPF 30 sunscreen to your entire body 90 minutes before going outside. Remember to reapply every two hours and after you go swimming.
Protecting yourself from the sun isn’t just preventive, Ruiz said. Studies have shown that immunosuppressed patients are a higher risk for developing skin cancer and taking protective measures will help those already diagnosed with skin cancer, she said.
“What [the studies] found is using sunscreen actually reduces the number of subsequent skin cancers that they get,” she said. “So it still is worthwhile even if you’ve had one kind of skin cancer.”
2. Avoid midday sun
Ultraviolet (UV) rays, the type of light that causes skin cancer, is strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., Ruiz said, so she advises keeping outdoor activities to early or late in the day.
She advised wearing sunscreen and sticking to the shade as much as possible if you do go out. Wearing hat, sunglasses, or long sleeves will also help protect from sun exposure, she said.
“[Being outside in] the middle of the day can really be worse for summer months,” Ruiz said.
3. Check your skin routinely
You should be going to a dermatologist annually for routine screenings, Ruiz said. Between appointments, however, you should be checking your own skin. Look for new spots that are really dark, pimples that don’t go away within a month, or a spot that’s changing in size or color, she said.
“Look everywhere,” Ruiz said, including between your toes and the backs of your legs.
4. Start these routines with your kids early
Keep your kids in protective clothing if they’re going out to help prevent damage that could hurt them later.
“They’ve shown that early sunburns has been associated with melanoma,” Ruiz said. “So this is something that starts early in life.”
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