Don’t Skip the Sunscreen: May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month

Skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in the world and 1 in 5 Americans will develop the disease before they reach 70 years old. Even more worrying, it’s estimated that more than 2 people die of skin cancer in the U.S. every hour. May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. Here is what you need to know about skin cancer and what you can do to keep your skin safe and your body healthy for years to come.

 

What is Skin Cancer?

Skin cancer refers to the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells in the epidermis, which is the outermost layer of skin. There are several different types of skin cancer, with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma, being the most common.

Exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun, along with artificial UV light such as that emitted by tanning beds, are the two biggest contributors to the development of skin cancer. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are, what your skin tone is, or where you live, everyone who spends time in the sun is at risk of developing skin cancer if they don’t use proper protection. Sun damage is accumulative throughout your lifetime, whether or not you burn.

While skin cancer can usually be treated successfully if it is caught early enough, prevention is always better than cure. Treatment for skin cancer can often involve surgical removal of the affected area of skin, which can leave unsightly scarring. In some cases, patients even need chemotherapy or radiotherapy to destroy all the cancer cells and make a full recovery.

The Importance of Sunscreen

Fortunately, there are things you can to do reduce your risk of developing skin cancer. Applying sunscreen is one of the single most important things that you can do to protect your skin against the harmful effects of UV radiation.

Sunscreen works by blocking and absorbing UV rays through a combination of physical and chemical particles. When you choose sunscreen, you should choose a broad-spectrum variety. This means that it will block both UVA and UVB rays, offering the best protection against sun damage.  You will also need to select which SPF you want. SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor and the number that accompanies it tells you how long your skin should be protected for if you apply it as directed when compared to not using sunscreen at all. For example, when you protect your skin with SPF30, it will take you 30 times longer to burn than if you used no sunscreen at all.

Which SPF is Right for Me?

Dermatologists recommend that we all wear some degree of SPF every time we leave the house. Not only will this protect against skin cancer, but it can also prevent some of the aging effects caused by sun exposure. If you are only spending a short period of time in the sun, an SPF of 15 or more should be sufficient. However, if you are spending most of the time outdoors and the sun is strong, you should wear at least SPF30 and apply it every 2 hours during the course of the day. Going swimming, surfing, or sailing? Any water exposure means that you should choose a water-resistant sunscreen of at least SPF30.

 

We understand the importance of protecting your skin from the harmful effects of the sun and have created a range of broad-spectrum sunscreens to keep your skin safe. You can shop our sunscreens here. For more information about the importance of sunscreen, or for advice on caring for your skin, contact our expert skincare team at Green Dermatology & Cosmetic Center in Deerfield Beach, Florida at 954-947-4500.

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