We have all heard about the dangers of UV radiation from the sun. In this age where global warming has taken the world by storm with its pressing side effects, one of the main things everyone is trying to protect themselves from is the risk of developing skin cancer.
6 Simple Steps To Protect From Skin Cancer
Dealing with cancer is an extremely arduous task. It involves multiple visits to the doctor, undergoing radiation, too many medications, and a plethora of changes in your body.
This leads to changes in your overall well-being and can often have disastrous consequences on your mental health as well. Moreover, damage from the sun sort of accumulates in your body over a long period of time, so all of that outdoor exposure throughout your life can make its presence felt in very overwhelming ways unless you take the necessary precautions for it.
So, here is a comprehensive guide that provides some useful tips that you can follow to reduce the risk of you developing skin cancer. Let us dive in, shall we?
Stay Under Shady Areas In The Morning
Between 10 am to 4 pm is when the rays of the sun have the strongest effect. Exposing yourself to too much sunlight during this period can lead to an accumulation of the harmful parts of these rays and then lead to skin cancer. If you are an athlete who trains during this time, then try to find indoor training areas, as this would limit your exposure to the sun. Moreover, avoid getting sunburnt at all costs, so seek shade on those sunny days, especially during the summer.
Avoid Tanning
Most people love to plop themselves on a beach on a bright summer day to get a tan. While you might love that color of tanned skin, you should know that both indoor and outdoor tanning can have disastrous consequences on your body. Not only does tanning up your chances of getting skin cancer, but it also speeds up your aging process and damages your skin cells. So, try to stray away from tanning altogether, and encourage anyone you know to do the same.
Cover Yourself Well
While going outside in the sun, it is quite difficult to not wear clothes that expose your skin to the harmful rays of the sun. This is why you could invest in some light-colored cotton full sleeves that limit the exposure of your skin to the sun. Hats can never go out of style, so wear a broad-trimmed hat to protect your face from the sun rays too. If you can, invest in some UV-blocking sunglasses too as these do wonders to prevent skin cancer
Use Sunscreen Religiously
Never leave your house without applying sunscreen if the sun is still up. Buy a sunscreen that has an SPF of 15 or above. If you are expected to spend a lot of time engaging in outdoor activities, then go for sunscreens with an SPF of 30 or higher, and it would probably be better for you to indulge in broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen. You see, regular use of SPF 15 sunscreen can do wonders for your skin, and even reduce the risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by approximately 40% and lower the risk of melanoma by around 50%.
Check-In With Your Dermatologist Regularly
Make it a point to book an appointment with your dermatologist at least once every year, in order to get a professional skin exam. Being experts in the field, not only can they alert you in the early stages, if you do develop skin cancer, but they can also give you extremely helpful pointers in terms of taking the necessary precautions to keep away from skin cancer.
Keep Newborn Babies Away From The Sun
Many studies show that exposure to the sun and sunburns at very early ages, greatly increase the risk of developing skin cancer later in life by a large extent, along with the risk of melanoma. Start applying sunscreen on their skin once they turn 6 months of age, and seek shelter under shady areas if you have to go outside with your baby.
To conclude, keep away from the sun as much as possible. Avoid outdoor activities that would require you to spend too much time under the sun. Apply sunscreen as a part of your routine. Protect your skin from any unwanted exposure to the sun and you should already be one step ahead in terms of protecting yourself from the dangers of skin cancer.
