Preventing skin cancer
Although skin cancer typically happens to Caucasians, those that work outside, smokers and people with a family history of skin cancer, everybody is at risk these days as the statistics show. Skin cancer instances have doubled every 10 years over the last 40 years and we need to take action to prevent it from happening to us.
2 of the types of skin cancers are very lethal if left too late and it is therefore essential to follow the tips that I am about to provide you with, that I have in part sourced from the worlds largest healthcare organization. (NHS Direct Online)
Essentially, the best way to protect your self from skin cancer is to take care in the sun is to take preventative action and make sure you don’t burn your skin. Once you have been burnt the damage has already been done so make sure to cover up with loose fitting clothes.
Also, make sure to cover your legs and arms if it is at all possible. Heat stroke can be avoided if you again use loose fitting clothes and drink lots and lots of water to replace what you lose.
Remember that tightly woven fabrics will provide the best protection from the sun. you should also avoid direct sunlight during the mid day sun from 11am to 3pm as this is when the sun is at it’s strongest. If you must go outside between these times then make sure to cover-up with clothes, hat and sunglasses and apply plenty of sunscreen.
Always use a sun protection lotion with an SPF (sun protection factor) of at least 15, although very fair-skinned people, children and people living in exposed areas of the world need to use lotions with an SPF of up to 40.
Make sure that your entire body is covered by sun protection lotion with sun protection factor above 15. An absolute minimum to cover up is your face, hands, feet and neck but you should also consider using it all over as the most vulnerable parts of your body are the places that are not usually exposed to sunlight.
You also need to apply sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going out in the sun and then apply it every couple of hours, as sweat and friction against towels for example will cause it to wear off. Also reapply immediately after swimming, even if your lotion says it is of a waterproof variety.
I would suggest that you also consider wearing waterproof sun protection when you are out swimming. UVA and UVB rays can penetrate through 2 feet of water. You should also remember that clouds and fog do not stop the ultraviolet rays from penetrating and getting to your skin – that’s the job of the ozone layer (which we incidentally are killing off).
Finally, I would suggest that you cover up with clothing and use SPF 15 sun lotion even on cloudy days and always wear a hat and sunglasses that have UVA and UVB filters when in the sun. And if you want a final reminder about the dangers of sunlight, remember that ultraviolet rays can damage the retinas in your eyes causing cataracts.
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