Wear your sunscreen.
Find a sunscreen you like. If something is thick, stinky or sticky, you are less likely to use it frequently. One to two ounces of sunscreen, about the size of a golf ball, covers your body and needs to be reapplied every two to four hours. So, obviously, one tube of sunscreen shouldn’t last much more than a weekend at the beach. Also, overcast days provide plenty of harmful rays so remember your sunscreen when it’s cloudy outdoors.
Protect your lips and ears.
Skin cancers in these areas are often aggressive so wear a hat over your ears and/or use sunscreen on these vulnerable parts.
Seek shade.
Cover up with clothing. A typical cotton t-shirt only provides protection equal to about an SPF 15 sunscreen and when wet, it can drop to an SPF of 8. Sun-protective clothing is ideal if you dislike lathering up with lotion – especially great for kids who won’t stand still as well as athletes and outdoorsmen. Some of these fabrics are as light as tissue paper and provide optimal ventilation.
Learn to perform a good skin exam.
Look for anything that appears out of place. Learn the warning signs for melanoma, as well as basal or quamous cell skin cancers; google or www.aiderm.com – for photos.Visit our Skin Care Basics for more photos.
Schedule checkups.
Get a baseline exam by a dermatologist to ensure your skin stays healthy. Call Associates in Dermatology at 757-838-8030 to make your appointment today!