Ways to Prevent Skin Cancer

Arm yourself with the proper protection to prevent skin cancer from happening to you.

Skin care isn’t just about washing with the right cleanser and making sure to moisturize daily. There are also some other factors you need to consider when it comes to caring for your skin. Skin cancer affects millions of Americans every year and can have some serious and life-threatening complications. From the office of your Wellesley Hills dermatologists, find out what you can do to keep skin cancer at bay.

Use sunscreen

One of the surefire ways to protect your skin from the harmful rays of the sun is to wear sunscreen that protects against both UVA/UVB rays and has an SPF of 15 or higher. If you plan to be outside for long periods of time, opt for water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Be sure to reapply sunscreen every three hours or after swimming or sweating.

Wear protective clothing

Before going outside take a minute to examine the clothes you are wearing to make sure that they will provide enough protection. Choose synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon over cotton or shiny semi-synthetic fabrics (e.g. rayon), which reflect more UV rays than matte fabrics like linen. Also, lighter fabrics won’t provide as much protection as heavier materials. And don’t forget the wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses before going outside.

Find shade from the sun

Try to avoid being directly in the sun during the peak hours of 10am-4pm when UV is the strongest. When it comes to planning outdoor activities opt for early mornings or late afternoons.

See your Wellesley Hills skin doctor

Annual skin cancer screenings are important for everyone, whether you have risk factors or not. While you should be checking your skin from head-to-toe every month we will be able to perform a more thorough examination to detect any suspicious growths. By getting a professional exam once a year you may just prevent skin cancer from happening to you.

If you want to schedule your skin cancer screening turn to the dermatological experts at Newton Wellesley Dermatology Association in Wellesley Hills, MA. Call our office today!