The human skin is one of the most impressive organs that ever existed. The skin has the ability to shed, repair, and protect all in one area. Even though our skin is resistant to many of the harsh things we put it through, such as tattooing and sunbathing, sometimes it is too much for it to handle.
Overexposure and abuse of the skin are one of the reasons that people may experience skin cancer. According to the specialists an estimated 5.3 million people are diagnosed with some form of skin cancer each year. While even the thought of having skin cancer is enough to scare some people, there are ways to prevent your chances of getting skin cancer. Here are 7 things you can do to help protect your skin.
1. Wear Sunscreen
While this may seem elementary, it is something that most people do not do every day. It might sound strange to wear sunscreen while the sun is not blazing down on your skin, but the truth is that the sun rays are still out.
It is recommended to wear an SPF 15 sunscreen on the less sunny days, and anywhere up to SPF 60 on hot summer ones. Just doing this can significantly reduce your chances of getting skin cancer.
2. Reduce Your Time In The Sun
Even though sunscreen can work wonders for your skin, it is not recommended to always put it to the test. If you can help it, it is best to avoid the sun at its peak times in your area. Cancer.org recommends that most people should try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to limit the number of sun rays the skin is being exposed to.
3. Say No To Tanning Beds
Everyone knows how harmful the effects of UV rays from the sun can be to the skin. Something that is just as worse, if not more is tanning beds. Society has perpetuated this idea that tanning beds are better than actual sunlight to get the ideal summer color because it can be controlled.
This is actually not true. The radiation can actually cause the skin to mutate, which will further speed up the chances of skin cancer. Not only that, the tanning can permanently damage the dermis, which can also make you more prone to skin cancer.
4. Wear Clothing To Reduce The Effects Of The Sun
Sometimes you just can’t help it if you have to go out in the sun during its peak. Even though you will probably have on sunscreen, there is a way to limit the number of rays going on your skin through your clothing choices.
Most experts recommend that you wear loose long sleeves and pants with some sort of hat to protect your skin. Something else that they recommend is to find clothes that have Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) labels on them. And of course, don’t forget your sunshades.
5. Remember The ABCDEs
The ABCDEs is an acronym stated by the American Academy of Dermatology to make people more aware of moles on their bodies. While some moles may be just fine, others can have characteristics that could help diagnose melanoma, a dangerous form of skin cancer. Here are the characteristics you should look for:
Asymmetry
Borders
Colour
Diameters
Evolving
6. See A Doctor For Any Concerns
While it may be scary to get a screen for skin cancers, it is necessary to make sure that your skin is healthy. Even if you do have some form of skin cancer, different types can be easily treated when detected early. It is always recommended to see a dermatologist about skin issues. One such great team of dermatologists that can help you is the Sundoctors.
The professional team of dermatologist will be helping everyone they can with all of their skin problems. The doctor can guide you better with treatments and guidelines that will help you fight skin cancer and get rid of it. Along with this, it is also mandatory top have proper health tips from doctors in return to get your immune system strong.
7. Use Common Sense
Our last tip is something that everyone can do, no matter where they are. When it comes to skin cancer prevention, common sense is the best way to prevent it. For example, if it is 100 degrees outside and you know that your skin sunburns easily, why to go outside if you don’t have to. Or if you have burns already, why keep going outside in the peak of the sun. We hope these simple tips have given you something to think about when it comes to skin cancer. Skin cancer can be a scary disease to have, but applying these tips can help reduce your risk significantly.
