7 Tips to Keep You From Exposing Yourself
Skin cancer and melanoma are risks you take every time you step outside.
Make sure you and your family are protected. Follow these simple rules.
- Limit your time in the sun. Stay indoors or seek shade when the UV rays are most dangerous, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Use a water-resistant sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection and a broad-spectrum SPF of 30 or higher. Apply it liberally and reapply every two to three hours, or more frequently if you’re swimming or perspiring.
- Avoid tanning beds and sunlamps, which produce UVA and UVB rays just like the sun and are the leading cause of cancer — including malignant melanoma, the deadliest skin cancer. Tanning beds increase your melanoma risk 75% before age 35.
- Wear wide-brimmed hats to cover your head, face, neck and ears.
- Protect your eyes with sunglasses that block 99% or more of UV light.
- Wear clothing such as long-sleeve shirts and pants. If you wear cosmetics, choose a high-SPF/broad-spectrum label.
- Wear lip balm and makeup products that have an SPF of 30 or higher.
Some source material from: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Skin Cancer (CDC.gov/Cancer/Skin)