Is applying sunscreen enough to prevent getting skin cancer? The short answer is no. It takes more than sunscreen to protect your skin from skin cancer as I found the hard way. I have had 3 bouts of skin cancer, two on my right shoulder and one on my nose.
After I had MOS surgery in April 2019, I learned from the plastic surgeon that there were 2 kinds of Ultra Violet rays to be concerned about—UVA rays and UVB rays both harm your skin. He also warned me that applying sunscreen isn’t enough. He reminded me that I needed to do more than put on sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. He advised me to wear a hat and be fully clothed and covered when out in the sun. He said, no more sunbathing for you!
Besides causing skin cancer UVA rays can prematurely age your skin, cause wrinkles, and age spots. UVB rays can burn your skin and both types of UV rays can cause skin cancer.
The most important thing I learned from getting skin cancer is that it takes doing more than one thing to protect your skin.
Here is expert advice from The Skin Cancer Foundation, the Mayo Clinic, and the University of Rochester Medical Center about how to protect your skin against skin cancer. They advise that you take these 6 steps in combination to protect yourself:
- Stay out of the sun: Avoid peak hours in the sun between 10 am and 4 pm.
- Cover up: wear sun protective clothing and especially a hat that has at least a 3-inch brim. Wear long pants, a shirt with long sleeves, UV blocking sunglasses, plus the hat. Some clothing is now available now added UV protection.
- Play in the shade: Walk and play in the shade even though it doesn’t provide a perfect shield from the sun’s rays.
- Windows: Glass allows UVA rays to pass through your windows at home and on the road. Front car window shields against UVA rays. Consider having UV protective window film applied to side windows and sunroofs in your car and windows at home.
- Avoid Tanning beds: Using a tanning bed even once increases the risk of skin cancer. Using a tanning bed before age 35 increases the risk of melanoma by 75 percent according to the Skin Cancer Foundation.
- Sunscreen: Look for a sunscreen that protects you from both UVA and UVB light. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 to protect you from both types of rays. Apply according to instructions.
Oh, how I wish I had read this section on the back of my tube of sun screen:
| Sun Protection Measures: Spending time in the sun increases your risk of skin cancer and early skin aging. To decrease this risk, regularly use a sunscreen with a Broad spectrum of 15 or higher and other sun protection measures including:· Limit time in the sun especially from 10 am to 2 pm· Wear long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats, and sunglasses· Children under 6 months, ask a doctor |
Sources:
Mayo Clinic, Best sunscreen: Understand sunscreen options. Downloaded 07/26/20.
Skin Cancer Foundation, Sun Protection, Your Daily Sun Protection Guide. Downloaded 07/26/20.
University of Rochester Medical Center, Sunscreens: Protect Your Skin. Downloaded 07/26/20.
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Kay Loughrey, MPH, RDN, LDN
Transformational Speaker, Breakthrough Coach, Registered Dietitian-Nutritionist