As the summer months are in full swing, it cannot be stressed enough that sun safety should be of utmost importance when spending any time under the UV rays. According to a report made by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), one American dies every hour from skin cancer. Among the most common cancers, skin cancer can be prevented just by picking up one healthy habit – lathering on sunscreen before heading out for the day.
It is crucial before going to the beach or heading out to that barbeque to be proactive about your skin’s health.
To help to protect yourself from the sun and help prevent cancer, consider some of these safety tips:
- Lather it up with some sunscreen: Use a sunblock with at least an SPF-30 before going out in the sun. Also, make sure your sunscreen has UVB and UVA protection.
- Cover up: Put on a shirt, hat, and/or sunglasses to protect parts of the body that are more prone to sunburn.
- Relax in the shade: During the sun’s peak hours (typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) periodically take a break from the sun in the shade.
- Check the UV index: Before making any outdoors plans, you can check the UV index to find out which times pose the most risk for overexposure to the sun.
Following these simple habits can help protect your skin from sun as well as prevent health risks, such as melanoma.
It is especially important to prevent sunburn, which is the leading cause of skin cancer and premature aging. If you are to get a sunburn, use fresh aloe or cool tea compresses to reduce pain and to prevent peeling.