Summertime, and the livin’ is straightforward.
From beach getaways to outdoor barbecues, the summer months are prime time for spending days within the sun. But all those hours basking within the rays can spell disaster to your skin, for those who’re not careful.
We’re betting you’ve heard about sunscreen. And you most likely know that you must wear it. Despite this, one in three Americans reports getting a sunburn every 12 months. Sunburns are skin damage. And the more you’ve had, the upper your risk of developing skin cancer.
But the excellent news? You don’t need to shun the sun. We spoke with Dr. Jennifer A. Stein, a dermatologist at NYU Langone, for some cool suggestions you possibly can try that can help protect your skin all season long.
Why is protecting your skin from the sun so essential?
The blistering redness of a sunburn will peel and fade inside a couple of days. The glow of a tan is temporary, too. However the effect is long lasting. A tan and sunburn are signs that the sun’s radiation has damaged DNA in skin cells. Sometimes that DNA damage gets repaired, and sometimes it doesn’t, setting the stage for skin cells to divide abnormally in a while.
It’s estimated that one in five of us will get skin cancer during our lifetime. That’s why it’s essential to guard your skin from every day sun exposure by wearing a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at the least 30. Wear it even when it’s cloudy out. Reapply every two hours and after swimming and using a towel. Don’t wait until you’re feeling hot. You may get a sunburn without even knowing it.
We speak about sunscreen so much, but are there other ways to guard your skin from the sun?
Avoid the sun from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., when the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays are strongest. If you happen to’re heading to the beach, go earlier or later within the day. The beach will probably be cooler then, too. If you happen to’re at a midday picnic, discover a shady spot.
The most effective technique to protect yourself from UV rays is to cover up. The more of your skin you cover, the less you have got to rely on sunscreen for defense. Wear a hat with a broad brim to shade your face and a shirt that covers your shoulders, chest and upper back, that are places that usually get direct sun. You may buy sun-protective shirts and other clothing with built-in SPF, but any fabric is best than nothing. It doesn’t need to be fancy.
What are telltale signs of skin cancer?
On the whole, search for moles or spots in your skin that don’t seem like anything you’ve had before. Inspect your face, shoulders, the back of your hands, legs and arms. Those are places where basal-cell and squamous-cell carcinomas, two commonest forms of skin cancer, can show up.
Melanoma mostly occurs on areas of the skin area which are normally covered in clothing but get bursts of sun exposure, reminiscent of the back for men and the legs for girls. In the summertime months, while you’re more prone to be out within the sun, it’s especially essential to cover up each time possible and all the time wear sunscreen.
Many dermatologists use the “ABCDE” criteria to examine for melanoma, and I like to recommend patients using this as a tool for self-checks at home as well:
- A: Asymmetrical. Half of the mole doesn’t mirror the form of the opposite half.
- B: Borders which are irregular fairly than round. The perimeters are jagged, notched or blurred.
- C: Uneven Color, including shades of tan, brown, black or blue.
- D: Diameter — larger than a pencil eraser.
- E: Evolution over time. Any mole that’s changing in color, shape or size.
Any of the ABCDEs are reasons to see a dermatologist for a skin check.
What’s a skin check like?
Skin checks are straightforward and nothing to fear. Within the dermatologist’s office, you’ll placed on a gown and the doctor will look you over from head to toe in any respect areas of the skin.
Even for those who don’t have a suspicious-looking mole, be diligent about getting regular skin checks for those who’re at increased risk for skin cancer. You possibly can be higher risk for those who:
- Have had any kind of skin cancer
- Have a member of the family who has skin cancer, especially melanoma
- Sunburn easily or have had many sunburns
- Have used tanning beds, as they produce man-made UV light
- Have light skin, red hair, freckles or light eyes
- Take medication that suppresses your immune system
- Have many and/or funny-looking moles
What happens if my dermatologist finds something concerning?
Most skin cancers are found early and will be treated with outpatient surgery. Some skin cancers are treated with Mohs surgery, which is performed by a specially trained dermatologist. It involves surgically removing thin layers of skin one stage at a time and checking each bit under a microscope until the margins are clear and no cancer stays.
One other hot topic — pun intended: sunburn. What’s one of the best technique to soothe a nasty one?
Cool baths will be soothing, as can cold compresses, which you possibly can make with a paper towel or washcloth soaked in cool milk. An over-the-counter pain reliever also can help. If you have got a nasty sunburn and begin to feel sick, cold or develop a fever, or you’re feeling confused, it’s an indication your body can’t regulate your body temperature, and you must seek medical attention.
All 12 months long, but especially in the summertime, it’s vital to maintain your skin and stop everlasting sun damage.
Jennifer A. Stein, MD, Ph.D., is a professor within the Ronald O. Perelman Department of Dermatology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine and associate vice chair for the college group practice within the Department of Dermatology at NYU Langone. She focuses on early detection of melanoma and other skin cancers.
