3 Ways to Prevent Skin Cancer
- Posted on: Sep 30 2013
Skin cancer is very common in the United States. In fact, it is the most common form of cancer in the country. According to the American Cancer Society, more than a million skin cancer cases are diagnosed every year. Here at Laser & Mohs Dermatology of New York, we offer Mohs Micrographic Surgery in New York to treat skin cancer. Then again, we also want our patients to prevent skin cancer. We have created a list of the things you can do to reduce your risks of skin cancer.
Minimize sun exposure
- Stay away from the sun especially between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon.
- When you are out, look for shade. Teach this to children too.
- Use protective clothing to protect as much skin as you can.
- Use a hat. A hat that hides your face, neck, and ears protects you from the sun. When wearing a baseball cap, apply sunscreen on your neck and ears.
- Wear sunglasses. Protect your eyes and the skin that surrounds it by wearing sunglasses that feature 100% UV absorption.
Stay away from tanning beds
A lot of people love tanning beds as it gives them a beautifully tanned skin. However, these beds emit harmful UV rays. If you want to have a tan, make use of sunless tanning solutions instead of going to tanning salons. Just remember that it is still important to apply sunscreen regularly even if you already have a tan.
Use sunscreen every day
Apply sunscreen every single day and not only when you go to the beach. Find a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection as they are the ones that protect you from both the sun’s UVA and UVB rays. Furthermore, the sunscreen needs to have an SPF of 15 or higher. Do not forget to reapply your sunblock every couple of hours.
Taking a proactive approach in preventing skin cancer could go a long way. Then again, if you see any skin abnormalities or have not seen a dermatologist in a long time, we suggest that you request an appointment with us by calling 212-391-8600 or by filling out this online contact form. We look forward to hearing from you!
Posted in: Skin Cancer
