About 3.3 million Americans get skin cancer every year—some in multiple places on their body. For many of those people, the first actions they take to protect their skin are after this diagnosis.
At that point, it may be too late depending on the stage of their cancer (while it is still always valuable to protect your skin no matter if you have before or not).
Even if the sun damage doesn’t result in skin cancer, it can still have unwanted consequences such as age spots and extra wrinkles.
That said, there are many ways to both prevent and repair sun damage. Here to tell us exactly how is Dr. Cynthia Lavery Henry from Apex Dermatology in Westlake, OH.
Why is sun damage dangerous?
Sun damage can lead to skin cancer, including Melanoma, the deadliest form.
Exposure to UV rays from the sun itself or from indoor tanning is directly correlated with an increase in skin cancer risk.
Does sun damage cause premature aging?
In addition to being dangerous, sun damage also causes premature aging. Signs of sun damage include dark spots, and an acceleration in fine lines and wrinkles.
What parts of the body are most commonly affected by sun damage?
Sun damage can happen on any exposed skin.
“The most common areas for sun damage are the ones most often exposed including: face, lips, ears, scalp, and arms.”
This is why when you go out in the sun, it’s important to take extra precaution around these areas with sunscreen and sun protective clothing.
How can you prevent sun damage?
“A broad-spectrum sunscreen 30 SPF or higher should be worn every day! If you are out in the sun, re-application every 2 hours and a sunscreen that is water resistant is a must. It’s also important to use enough sunscreen and apply evenly. Used too sparingly won’t give you enough protection.”
Sun-protective clothing and hats with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) ratings are even better than sunscreen alone. So, in addition to sunscreen, practice sun safety by seeking shade, wearing a hat, and covering up with sun protective clothing.
It’s also crucial to make regular trips to a board-certified dermatologist. A full body skin exam is recommended once every year, and if you notice any new or changing spots on your skin, you should schedule an appointment right away. Awareness and early detection are key to managing skin cancer.
At Apex, we have our SPOTcheck program, which guarantees suspicious lesions are checked within 24 hours.