Did you know that May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month? Skin cancer is one of the most preventable forms of cancer. Despite this, the disease is the most common form of cancer diagnosed in the United States today. So, it’s very easy to see why they’ve dedicated an entire month to help make us aware of the importance of sun protection. Before you enjoy this upcoming summer, the team at Wilma Schumann Skin Care would like to educate you on ways to maintain healthy skin, while still having fun this summer. Here are some of the most significant ways:
Cut back on the sun exposure.
Try reducing your sun exposure between 11am and 4pm. This is when the sun’s UV rays are the strongest. If you’re like most folks this summer and like a nice tan, then at the very least, work your way up to a base tan. The worst thing you could do is to be fair skinned and want to absorb all of the sun for the entire summer on your first sitting! But seriously, you should try to avoid the sun.
Find the shade.
If a tree is nowhere in site, try creating your own shade with an umbrella, shirt or hat.
Protect your eyes.
Radiation from the sun can damage cells in the structures of your eyes causing the increase in risk of developing cataracts later in life. UV radiation can also contribute to the development of skin cancer on the eyelid or on the surface of the eye. This damage can be prevented by protecting your eyes with sunglasses that protect against 100% UVA and UVB rays.
Cloudy doesn’t necessarily mean safety.
Yep, up to 80% of the sun’s rays can penetrate light clouds, fog and mist. On a cloudy or overcast day, you can STILL get sun burnt.
Stay away from tanning beds and sunlamps.
Believe it or not, indoor tanners or more dangerous than natural sunrays. These lights emit mostly UVA/UVB radiation up to 12 times as much as natural sunlight. This radiation causes premature aging of the skin and skin cancer. Don’t fall for the hype!
Be disciplined with sunscreen – even if you’re not fair-skinned.
Even when it’s true that people with darker skin are less at risk for developing the disease than for those with lighter skin, the risk still exists for everyone. It is important for everyone to protect themselves! So, protect and lather up all areas that are exposed with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, such as one of our best sellers Moisture Protectiv with SPF20, before venturing outside this summer. It applies with a luxurious, matte finish that feels great on all skin types.
Melanoma is highly curable when detected early, but the average prognosis for Stage IV metastatic disease is less than one year. Have you taken the pledge yet? PREVENT. PROTECT. GET CHECKED.
For more tips and information on how to protect you and your skin, visit the Skin Cancer Foundation at SkinCancer.org.
-WS Team
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. Energy from the sun actually is a form of radiation. It consists of visible light and other rays that people can’t see. Invisible infrared radiation, for instance, makes sunlight feel hot. UV also is invisible, and causes sunburn and sun tan. UV rays damage DNA, the genetic material that makes up genes. Genes control the growth and overall health of skin cells. If the genetic damage is severe, a normal skin cell may begin to grow in the uncontrolled, disorderly way of cancer cells. UV also can cause sunburn, and other damage that makes the skin look prematurely old and wrinkled.,