Spending long, languorous days basking in the sun is a tempting activity, but tans and burns can translate to irreversible skin damage--a major factor in developing skin cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, physicians diagnose more than 1 million cases of skin cancer per year, making this condition the most widespread form of cancer in humans. Although solar rays and other UV-emitting sources are primary culprits for this disease, skin cancer isn't an inevitable fate, even if you do spend time outdoors. Protecting yourself involves minimizing exposure to skin-damaging factors and acting wisely while out in the sun.
Step 1
Apply sunscreen daily over all exposed areas of skin--regardless of whether the sun is out. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention explains, UV rays permeate cloud cover and reach your skin even on overcast days. Slathering up with sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15 can shield your skin from damaging solar radiation every day of the year.
Step 2
Minimize your exposure to direct sunlight during midday hours--which span from approximately 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when daylight savings is in effect, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during standard time. Between these hours, solar radiation reaches its peak and skin damage is more likely to occur. If you are outdoors during the late morning and early afternoon, try to stay in shady, sheltered areas.
Step 3
Wear UV-blocking sunglasses when spending extended periods of time in the sun. Along with reducing your risk of developing eye disease, sunglasses with UV filters protect the skin around your eyes--including areas like your eyelids where sunscreen application is difficult. Wrap-around sunglasses with large lenses provide more protection than smaller frames.
Step 4
Put on long pants, a wide-brimmed hat and a long-sleeved shirt before venturing out into this sun. This offers additional protection from UV rays by reducing the amount of skin receiving sunlight exposure. Tightly woven fabrics block more solar rays than garments with looser weaves, and clothing material is more protective dry than when wet.
Step 5
Choose cosmetics such as lip balm and makeup that contain UV-blocking ingredients--including zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, ecamsule or avobenzone. These products act similarly to sunscreen and can reduce the amount of UV radiation reaching your lips, eyes and other delicate areas of your face.
Step 6
Avoid sunlamps and tanning booths if you're seeking a deeper skin tone. Although artificial tanning beds might seem safer than the sun, they still emit harmful UV rays and can result in burning, premature skin aging and skin cancer. Rather than lying in a tanning bed, consider using a sunless tanning lotion or spray to darken your complexion.
Tips and Warnings
- To ensure maximum protection from UV rays, only use sunscreen that has not passed its expiration date, and reapply it once every two hours when swimming or participating in sweat-inducing activities. Choose sunscreens with SPF 30 or above if your complexion is particularly fair. Lighter skin is more prone to sun damage and skin cancer than darker tones.
- The body requires small amounts of sun exposure to synthesize vitamin D, and completely avoiding the sun may result in vitamin D deficiency in some individuals--especially if you consume a vegetarian or vegan diet. To avoid vitamin D deficiency, take a supplement or consume foods fortified with this nutrient.
Things You'll Need
- Sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher
- UV-blocking sunglasses
- Wide-brimmed hat
