Skin Cancer Awareness Month: How to reduce the risk
What do warm weather, sunny vacations, and outdoor fun have in common? I bet skin cancer risk isn’t the first thing to come to mind.
But as we enter into May, which is also Skin Cancer Awareness Month, we should be considering our skin health alongside those plans for outdoor enjoyment. Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, and also the most preventable. Here’s a quick download of what you need to know about skin cancer and prevention.
What is skin cancer?
Skin cancer is the abnormal, out-of-control growth of skin cells on the outermost layer of the skin. This is caused by unrepaired DNA damage that triggers mutation within the skin cells. There are different types of skin cancer. The two most common types of skin cancer—basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas—are highly curable, but can be disfiguring and costly to treat. Melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous and causes the most deaths. The majority of cases of these three types of skin cancer are caused by overexposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun.
What causes skin cancer?
Prolonged, frequent exposure can cause early aging and even skin cancer. The sun’s UV rays can reach deep into human skin and damage connective tissue and the skin’s DNA. Ultraviolet A rays are the most common and cause wrinkles. Ultraviolet B rays are the most dangerous because they cause skin cancer.
How can I prevent skin cancer?
Here are four easy tips for reducing the risk of skin cancer:
- Wear sunscreen no matter what type of skin you have, and even if you don’t go outside. UV rays are reflected by sand, ice, snow, water, pavement, and windows.
- Reapply sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating. Apply it on your face and your body.
- Avoid spending too much time outside between 10am and 4pm when the sun’s rays are strongest. When you are out, wear a cap, a big hat, and big shades to block the sun away from your face.
- Pay attention to the sun protection factor in your sunscreen products. The SPF of a sunscreen product indicates the level of protection it provides from UV radiation. An SPF of at least 30 can block 97% of the sun’s rays.
You can easily add sunscreen protection to your daily skincare routine by looking for products with SPF in the ingredients, like our PBS UV Sunscreen!
Not only does our oil-free PBS UV Shield Sunscreen offer broadband protection against sunburn and photo-damage, it's your first defense against the re-darkening of post-acne spots and hyperpigmentation.
How it works:
- Recommended for all skin types. Acne and eczema friendly!
- Acts as a shield against harmful UVA and UVB radiation from the sun.
- Blocks sunburn, photo-damage and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
- Hydrates and moisturizes the skin without clogging pores.