Summer has finally arrived, but enjoying longer and sunnier days outdoors means your skin is vulnerable to sunburn. Unless you take the proper precautions, sun exposure can damage your skin, leading to wrinkles, age spots and even skin cancer. Just one sunburn during your childhood doubles your chances of developing melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The tips below can help you prevent sun damage and reduce your chances of developing skin cancer:
† Apply a high SPF sunscreen liberally. Use broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) every day. Make sure to reapply it every two hours and also after swimming or sweating. And apply it all over your body, not just your face and upper arms.
* Protect your lips from the sun's rays. Lip balms, glosses and lipsticks often contain SPF ingredients. Matte lipsticks contain pigments that help block harmful rays.
* Create some shade. Clothing made of tightly woven fabric with a high UV protection factor (UPF) can create a physical barrier that protects your skin from the sun. Long sleeves or pants, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat will also help provide shade.
* Avoid peak hours in the sun. The sun is most damaging to the skin between 12 noon and 3 p.m., so plan your outdoor activities before or after the sun is at its strongest.
* Examine yourself. Using a full-length mirror, look for spots that look suspicious (unusually shaped moles that change shape or are black, red, or pink) and see your doctor if you see them. If you have previously had skin cancer, you should be checked annually by a dermatologist.
