Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Is The Sun The Only Cause Of Skin Cancer?

On gorgeous summer days, people often spend a day at the beach basking in the sun. But we are now aware that the sun can be problematic for our skin, causing problems from premature aging to skin cancer.

Most people already know that they should wear sunscreen when they go outside. However, few people actually apply sunscreen every time they leave the house. Usually, we only think about putting on sunscreen when we expect to be outside all day. We’ve all heard the warnings to wear sunscreen and avoid too much sun exposure. Unfortunately, young people tend to disregard these warnings and don’t think seriously about skin cancer.

No matter how young or old you are, you need to take good care of your skin. Excessive exposure to the sun will lead to damage eventually even if it doesn’t appear for many years. Therefore, you should prevent damage from the sun when you are young so that it won’t become an issue when you’re older. Many steps can be taken to limit or prevent sun damage.

It is important to remember to wear sunscreen any time you go out into the sun, not just on days you’re hitting the beach. We’re exposed to plenty of sun in our everday lives, from waiting for the bus, to walking to work, to having lunch outside.

The standard protection for sun exposure is to wear an SPF of at least 15 to every area that is exposed to the sun. You should also keep your exposure between the hours of ten AM and three PM to a minimum. This is when the sun is at its strongest. It isn’t just during the summer hours that you should watch your sun exposure. You can still become overexposed to sunlight in the fall and winter seasons. Make sure you are wearing a sunscreen all year round.

Remember to reapply sunscreen several times throughout the day. This is especially important if you have been swimming or engaging in physical activity. Special attention is needed for children; they will not apply sunscreen on their own, and are the most at risk. If they are under six months of age, keep them out of the sun, as sunscreen is not suitable.

Babies and children have extremely delicate skin, and thus are at high risk for sun exposure and even skin cancer. Limit their sun exposure by covering skin and outfitting them with hats.

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