According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, approximately 1 in 5 Americans will develop skin cancer before the age of 70. This adds up to more skin cancer diagnoses in the United States than all other types of cancer combined. Fortunately, there are several measures you can take to mitigate the chances of being part of this grim statistic. In the guide below, you’ll learn how to stay protected, stay aware and ultimately how to prevent skin cancer both for you and your loved ones.
Skin cancer prevention starts by understanding that exposure to the outdoors always means exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays — even when it’s cloudy. The best way to combat this? Wear sunscreen every day—truly. Dermatologists recommend applying a minimum of broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen (about 1.5 ounces total) to all exposed areas of the skin before heading outside. Activity and perspiration will wear down your protective layer over time, so if you're unsure how often to reapply sunscreen, the general rule is to reapply to all exposed areas every 80 minutes.
Once you’re set with your first line of defense (sunscreen), it’s now time to consider some general practices around sun safety. Here are a few additional tips to help keep your skin cells free of the big “C”:
Tanning beds are so ’80s—avoid them like a bad pair of neon leg warmers. The high-powered UVB lights from tanning beds are damaging to your skin—even if you’re wearing sunscreen. Keep in mind that any change in skin color after UV exposure (whether it’s a bronze or a burn) is a sign of skin damage, not skin health. Sorry, Snooky: there’s no such thing as a healthy “base tan.”
Different types of skin cancers show up in different ways, so for a general self-exam, we recommend a thorough once-over of your skin from head to toe. If you notice any odd bumps, sores or misshapen/miscolored moles, it’s worth having an expert look at it.
Skin cancers come in several forms, but it can best be described as the abnormal growth of damaged skin cells. This can result in the unchecked growth of these cells in the affected area and—if left untreated—can spread to other parts of the body. According to the American Cancer Society, the deadliest form of skin cancer, Melanoma, kills more than 10,000 Americans per year.
Skin cancer is most commonly caused by overexposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays. Excessive UV exposure over time will damage the DNA in our skin cells, causing these cells to mutate and grow out of control, potentially leading to the development of skin cancer. While UV overexposure is by far the most common cause of skin cancer, additional genetic factors do contribute to skin cancers like melanoma—even if the affected area typically isn’t exposed to the sun.
The three most common forms of skin cancer are the following:
To be clear: everyone is at risk of skin cancer, regardless of skin tone. However, the following factors do increase your risk, so be on high alert if this is you:
A fantasy surf film starring Jaleesa and friends. You’ve never seen surfing vampires… until now.
Does sunscreen block blue light? Some do, some don't, it all comes down to what's in the bottle. If you're wondering, can sunscreen block blue light? The answer is yes, but only certain formulas offer meaningful protection. Blue light comes from the sun and is emitted from every screen you look at, and it's been linked to dark spots and early signs of aging. The catch is that a lot of everyday sunscreens aren't built to block it. Here's which formulas actually help, and how to give your skin better backup against blue light.
If you've ever wondered, can you get sunburned under water, the answer is also yes because UV rays continue traveling below the surface. Your dip might feel like a refreshing break from the sun, but UV rays don’t stop at the surface. They travel right into the water with you, which means your skin could still get burned when surfing, swimming, or splashing around. Read on for why swimming can actually increase your burn risk, and how to stay protected while still making the most of your beach days. Because one thing about us, we’re staying in the water.
Do you need to wear sunscreen indoors? It sounds like overkill until you realize how much sun gets inside. If you're wondering, "should I wear sunscreen indoors?" the answer is yes, especially if you spend time near windows or in bright indoor spaces. Between the UVA rays slipping through your windows and the blue light off your screens, indoors isn't the safe space for your skin you might think it is. Here's when indoor SPF comes in clutch, what it protects against, and how to fit it into your routine.
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