While it may be tempting, don’t skip sunscreen when you’re in the sun. Intense UV exposure leads to sunburns and increases your chance of skin cancer.
Protect Your Skin from UV Exposure
Just one blistering sunburn as a child or teen more than doubles your risk for melanoma. If you have a family history of skin cancer, you’re more at risk. It’s important to protect your skin when you’re in the sun.
Here’s seven ways you can protect yourself from the sun:
Stay in the shade, especially during midday hours. Reduce your risk by staying under an umbrella, tree or other shelter. You can still have an outdoor picnic just pick the table with a cover.
Wear clothing to cover your legs and arms. Choose clothes with a tightly woven fabric. Darker colors provide more protection than lighter ones. You can also wear clothing that offers UV protection.
Wear a hat with a wide brim. This will protect your neck, ears and face.
Use sunscreen every day. It isn’t just for summer. Use one with a sun protection factor of 30 or higher. Make sure it has both UVA and UVB (broad spectrum) protection and is water resistant.
Apply sunscreen generously before going outdoors. It takes about 15 minutes for your skin to soak up the sunscreen and be protected.
Apply sunscreen to all bare skin. Remember your neck, face, ears, legs and the tops of your feet. For hard-to-reach areas like your back, ask someone to help. If you have thinning hair, either apply sunscreen to your scalp or wear a wide-brimmed hat. To protect your lips, apply a lip balm with a SPF of at least 15.
Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours. Reapply right away after swimming or heavy sweating.
Wear sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays. They protect your eyes and the skin around your eyes, which is more sensitive.
Avoid indoor tanning. This exposes your skin to higher levels of UV rays and doesn’t protect against sunburns.
Plan activities in the morning or later in the afternoon. Avoid the sun’s harshest rays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. This also protects you against other heat-related illnesses.
Catch Problems Early
It’s best to catch skin cancers early because they’re easier to treat. Talk to your provider about what skin cancer screenings you might need.
Be on the lookout yourself for any changes. Self-exams are a key to early detection. You should check the areas that don’t get direct sun exposure as well as those that do. You’re looking for changes on your skin like:
new moles or growths
older moles that have started to grow or change
a lesion that itches, bleeds or doesn’t heal
Resources
Skin changes can happen at any time. If you find a new spot or one that’s changing, use this reference guide and then talk to your Primary Care Provider (PCP) or dermatologist. Your PCP can recommend a specialist if you need one.
If you need help finding a PCP or other specialist, use Provider Finder® to search by location, gender and specialty. A Personal Health Guide can help you find an in-network provider 24/7. Call 1-866-355-5999 or chat through the BCBSTX App.