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Posts Tagged ‘skincare’

More Fun with Less Sun

Posted in Healthy People, tagged , , , , , , , , on March 1, 2024| Leave a Comment »

Three individuals smiling at the beach. All are wearing sunglasses and a man is also wearing a hat.

As the weather warms up, we spend more time outdoors and we need to take steps to protect our skin, lips, and eyes. According to the Mayo Clinic, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and 90% is caused by exposure to the sun. As you head outdoors, follow these ten tips to protect yourself and your loved ones from the damaging effects of the sun and reduce your chance of skin cancer:

  1. Apply broad spectrum sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends wearing sunscreen every day to prevent sunburn, skin cancer, and premature aging. Print out this informative infographic about sunscreen and post it somewhere everyone can see as a friendly reminder to protect your skin.  
  2. Use lip protection. Just like your skin, your lips need protection from the sun. Use a lip balm that contains 30 SPF and protects you from both UVA and UVB rays (or says broad spectrum).
  3. Wear sunglasses. Slip on some cool shades and protect your eyes. People of all ages should wear sunglasses.
  4. Wear a wide-brimmed hat. Grab a hat that is tightly woven and has a rim at least 3-inches wide. This will protect the top of your head, your neck, your face, and ears from the sun.
  5. Wear sun protective clothing. Many fabrics have an Ultra Protective Factor (UPF) that protects your skin. Wearing clothes with 50 UPF is like wearing sunscreen with 30 SPF. Look for bathing suits, sun shirts, pants, and other clothing items with 50 UPF to provide a convenient way to protect your skin.
  6. Limit sun exposure. Avoid being outdoors when ultraviolet rays are their strongest, which tends to be between 10 AM and 4 PM.
  7. Seek shade. When you are outside, look for shade or bring your own. An umbrella, a shade tent, or natural shade can reduce your sun exposure. But don’t rely on shade alone to protect your skin.
  8. Protect windows. If you spend time near windows, make sure they block UV rays. To better understand the effect of spending time near a window, view the New England Journal of Medicine to see a picture of a 69-year-old truck driver and the sun damage caused to one side of his face.
  9. Perform skin self-exams. The American Academy of Dermatology Association recommends that individuals, regardless of age, gender, and ethnicity, perform monthly skin self-exams. They have helpful resources to learn how to check your skin, what to look for, and how to record your findings.
  10. See a board-certified dermatologist every year. You should see a dermatologist once a year, or more often if you are at a higher risk of skin cancer, for a full-body, professional skin exam. When found early, skin cancer is highly treatable.
An older couple is smiling and the man and woman are wearing sunglasses and hats.

Statistics show that 1 out of every 5 Americans will develop a form of skin cancer in their lifetime. By following these tips and avoiding tanning beds, you can significantly reduce your risk of skin cancer, all while having more fun with less sun.

More Resources:
Did you know that many Ohio State University Extension educators are trained to teach about sun safety? Visit our webpage and contact the OSU Extension professional in your county to schedule an educational workshop today!

Written by: Laura M. Stanton, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Warren County. Email: stanton.60@osu.edu

Reviewed by: Heather Reister, Family and Consumer Sciences Educator, Ohio State University Extension, Butler County.

Sources:
American Academy of Dermatology Association. (2023, May 15). Find skin cancer: How to perform a skin self-exam. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/skin-cancer/find/check-skin

American Cancer Society. (2023, July). Preventing skin cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/sun-and-uv/skin-cancer-prevention-infographic.html

Gordon, J.R.S. and Brieva, J.C. (2012, April 19). Unilateral dermatoheliosis. The New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMicm1104059

Mayo Clinic (n.d.). Infographic: Skin cancer. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/skin-cancer/multimedia/skin-cancer-infographic/ifg-20441507

Richard, E. G. (2022). All about sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation. https://www.skincancer.org/skin-cancer-prevention/sun-protection/sunscreen

Photo Credits: Adobe Stock.

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