Skin cancer can be caused by exposure to the sun's ultraviolet rays. Many sunscreens are available, and different types and brands contain various ingredients. One popular ingredient is zinc oxide. Using a broad-spectrum sunscreen correctly and taking other measures to protect yourself from the sun's potentially damaging rays can reduce your risk of skin cancer.
UVA and UVB Rays
The two types of ultraviolet rays that might harm your skin are UVA rays and UVB rays. UVA rays are the most common, and they can go deep into your skin, causing skin cancer and also potentially damaging the connective tissues below the surface of your skin. UVB rays are not as prevalent nor as damaging as UVA rays, but it is still important to protect your skin from these rays. The sun protection factor, or SPF, listed on your bottle of sunscreen refers to how long it will protect you from UVB rays. There is no way to measure or denote how much protection against UVA rays a product has.
Sunscreen
When choosing a sunscreen, look for one that says "broad spectrum." This means that it can protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Zinc oxide is an example of one of the ingredients that is believed to protect against most UVA rays. Other ingredients that act similarly to zinc oxide include avobenzone and titanium dioxide. Zinc oxide is thick and acts as a physical barrier. The American Academy of Dermatology says that thick sunscreens might not adhere as well to hairy areas of the body, such as a man's chest, so a thinner gel sunscreen might be preferable in these areas to prevent skin cancer.
Considerations
Check the expiration date on your bottle of zinc oxide sunscreen. While the FDA states that sunscreens must have a shelf life of three years, you should be using enough sunscreen on a regular basis to go through a bottle much more quickly than that. The American Cancer Society recommends using about 1 oz. per adult application, so an 8 oz. to 12 oz. bottle should not last very long. Apply sunscreen to your face and other exposed areas every day, because UV rays can penetrate house and car windows and can cause skin damage, including cancer, from the cumulative exposure.
Other Strategies
In addition to applying sunscreen daily, there are some things you can do to minimize your risk of skin cancer. Cover your skin with clothing when possible, because no sunscreen blocks all UVA or UVB rays. Wear a hat with a brim and a shirt with sleeves to protect your skin. Also, avoid spending time in direct sunlight, particularly during the middle of the day, when the sun's rays are strongest. Don't forget to wear sunglasses to protect the delicate skin around your eyes, and a lip balm with an SPF of 15 to protect your lips from skin cancer.
