Four Ways to Protect Your Skin From the Sun

May 2nd, 2024
3 minute read

Person wearing sun protective clothing

Whether your favorite summer activity is taking a long hike on a trail, lounging by the pool, or having fun at a backyard barbecue, the warmer temperatures generally mean more time spent outdoors in the sun. But because more exposure to sunlight means more exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet A and B rays, you need to take steps to protect yourself from cancer-causing ultraviolet radiation.

Here are four quick tips on keeping your skin healthy in the summertime, plus how often you should be checked for skin cancer by your provider.

What are some steps you can take to protect your skin this summer?

1. Choose the right sunscreen. Select a physical, or mineral, sunscreen that’s SPF 30 or above with the ingredients zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are less likely to cause rashes. Avoid sunscreens made with the ingredient para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA), an organic compound often found in sunscreen, because it can cause skin irritation. Look for a sunscreen with the label “broad spectrum,” an FDA-approved designation that indicates the product blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Both can lead to skin cancer development, and UVA leads to photoaging, or premature aging. Women may wear makeup products with sunscreen if that’s more convenient. However, you may want to go beyond the amount included in their makeup. Start with an application of an SPF 30 or above and then a favorite powder or foundation over the top.

2. Wear a wide-brimmed hat outside. Unlike a baseball cap, it protects your forehead, cheeks, the tops of your ears, and the back of your neck.

3. Consider investing in UPF clothing. Sun-protective clothing is convenient because you can skip applying sunscreen to areas of your body covered by the clothes.

4. Choose the right time of day to be outside. Aim to get outside before 10 a.m. or after 3 p.m. From 10 a.m.–3 p.m., you’ll find the greatest ultraviolet exposure. If you can, try and stay in the shade.

How often should you get your skin checked for cancer?

Patients with a history of skin cancer should see a dermatologist annually, semi-annually, or more frequently depending on what their dermatologist advises. Patients with moles or other lesions may need to be checked every few years.

What are some things to watch out for in between screenings?

Patients with a skin cancer diagnosis should do a monthly skin self-exam. After getting out of the shower, scan your arms and legs for anything that looks unusual. To examine your back and hard-to-see areas, have your partner check for you, or use a handheld mirror and full-length mirror to look. Look for moles that change in size, shape, and color, as well as spots that are raised, bleed, or itch persistently.

If you do receive a diagnosis of melanoma, what can you expect?

There’s a lot of good news surrounding melanoma treatment and survival rates. If melanoma is localized, there’s a 98% survival rate. In the past couple of decades, melanoma treatment has improved with medications called immune checkpoint inhibitors and other targeted therapies.

BJC HealthCare providers use a variety of advanced methods to effectively diagnose and treat all types and stages of skin cancer. Request an appointment with a specialist today.