Skin Care-Bright

Posts Tagged ‘cancer’

Skin cancer prevention measures can actively reduce your chances of developing skin cancer if you implement them in your daily routine. The most common form of cancer in the United States, tens of thousands of Americans contract skin cancer every year.

Skin cancer comes in three forms: basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma. Of the three, melanoma is the most dangerous and life threatening. Skin cancer claims the lives of approximately ten thousand Americans on an annual basis.

What causes skin cancer?

Overexposure to ultraviolet sunlight (UV rays) is believed to be the dominant external factor in a person’s development of skin cancer, although genetic factors can play a role. To protect yourself from UV rays, you should take the following 5 steps for proper skin cancer prevention:

1. Avoid Direct Sun Exposure: Avoid exposing your skin to direct sunlight during midday (generally from 10am to 4pm). This is the time when UV rays are most intense. Plan your schedule to avoid outdoor activities during these hours. Also, be aware that sand and snow reflect sunlight, so if you’re at the beach or a ski resort, direct sunlight can bombard you from every direction with UV rays.

2. Cover Yourself: When out in the sun, keep your skin covered. Wear long-sleeves and long pants if possible. Wearing a hat with a 3 to 4 inch brim all around is preferable. This will guard your neck and cheeks from dangerous prolonged exposure. Also note that dry, dark-colored garments offer the best protection.

3. Use Sunscreen Properly: You should always use sunscreen when enduring prolonged exposure in the sun. Find a sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor of at least 15 and read the directions for proper application. The higher the SPF, the higher the protection you will receive against dangerous sunburns. However, sunscreen does not offer “bulletproof” protection, and UV rays can penetrate water, so just because you feel “cool” in the water doesn’t mean you’re protected from sunburn.

4. Use Sunglasses That Block UV Rays: Making certain your sunglasses can block UV rays helps to guard your eyes from serious sun damage. The best constructed sunglasses should have a UV ray absorption rate of 99% to 100%. Never assume that darker lenses equal increased protection. UV rays are blocked by a chemical applied to the lenses. This chemical has nothing to do with the color of transparency of sunglass lenses.

5. Stay Away From Tanning Beds: It is a myth to believe that tanning beds and sunlamps are free of harmful UV rays. These cosmetic instruments might make your skin more attractive in the short-term, but they can significantly increase your risk of developing skin cancer in the long-term. Health professionals advise their patients to avoid them.

By implementing these 5 steps in your daily routine, you can significantly decrease your risk of developing skin cancer, while maintaining a healthy lifestyle that allows for proper exposure to the sun. Another important step in prevention of skin cancer is routine examination by a doctor. If skin cancer is detected early, then your odds of survival are markedly increased.

More and more people are becoming aware that over exposure to the sun can have serious consequences for their health. It is known that the ultraviolet rays from the sun can often cause painful sunburn and skin damage, which includes premature aging and skin cancer. The need to use sun protective clothing is an important defense in the prevention of skin cancer.

Many people believe that wearing their normal summer clothing protects the body from UV radiation damage. However, new research from the Morehouse School of Medicine shows that normal summer clothing may not have sufficient protective qualities to protect the body from the sun’s damaging rays. Ultraviolet protection provided by any fabric depends upon:

* Weave: Tighter weave is better

* Color: Dark colors absorb more UV radiation

* Weight of Fabric: Heavier is better

* Stretch: Less stretch is better

* Wetness: Fabrics that stay dry are better

Using a sunscreen SPF 15+ (Sun Protective Factor) can help in protecting the exposed parts of the body although, in practice, people do not usually apply sufficient amounts of sunscreen or reapply as often as recommended.

Wearing clothing with a UPF30 (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) that follows industry standards will protect the wearer against 97% of harmful UV rays. What is the difference between SPF and UPF? SPF is a rating used for sunscreens and UPF is a rating used for clothing. For more information on UV rays please visit: http://www.arpansa.gov.au

It is important to understand that many factors affect the intensity of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation. The season, time of day, cloud cover, smog, shade, the skin’s melanin content (lighter skins have less protection) and geographical latitude. It is also important to have sensible exposure to the sun to synthesize vitamin D within our bodies, not only for bone health, but overall health and well being.

To protect yourself against the sun’s destructive radiation and skin cancer, practice good prevention measures for sun protection:

1. Minimize exposure to the sun when it is at its strongest

2. Use a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or over

3. Wear UV Protective Clothing with a certified UPF label

4. Wear a wide brimmed hat and sunglasses that have a certified UPF

5. Consider using a vitamin D supplement

Say no to skin cancer. Avoid putting yourself at risk of painful sunburn, skin damage, premature aging and skin cancer. Wear fashionable, stylish certified UPF sun protective clothing. For more information on sun protective clothing Visit http://www.uv-protective-clothing.com

Rochester Health presents Allison L. Holm, M.D. – Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, Dermatology Partners of Western NY, LLP.