Preventing Skin Cancer – Promoting Healthy Skin
April 24, 2009 by Tisha Tolar
Filed under Health Issues
Preventing skin cancer is not hard to do. Recent research shows that despite all of the warnings and information about skin cancer, only one-third of people 
will consistently protect their skin with proper sunscreen. Those statistics make it understandable that one in every 5 Americans will develop the disease. The most serious of skin cancer, known as melanoma, has seen cases double over the last 30 years for women under 40.
Taking care of your skin should be part of your daily health care regimen so here are some easy tips to remember when you are protecting your skin and your overall health:
Always Use Sunscreen Protection
Many individuals make the mistake of only requiring sunscreen for themselves and their family during the summer months. The reality is that the dangerous UVB rays that burn your skin are present during any time of the year, even on cloudy or snowy days. Use sunscreen lotion on all exposed skin. Don’t forget your lips!
Apply Before You Leave the House
If you are planning to go outside for any amount of time, apply the lotion at least a half an hour before going outside. These minutes will give the lotion’s active ingredients time to work effectively.
Reapply Your Sunscreen
Whenever you are outdoors for a long period of time, make sure you reapply the protection every hour to two hours while in the sun. Any time you go swimming, reapply the lotion right after getting out each time.
Use the Right SPF
While it is great that you are using sunscreen, it is equally important that you are using the right SPF – or Sun Protection Factor – for your skin type. Traditionally, doctors recommended SPF 15 for all general purposes but many doctors have now changed that to SPF 30 as the new standard. While there is no sunscreen that will protect you 100%, the higher the SPF number you use, the better the protection.
Use the Right Amount of Protection
Besides using the wrong SPF, many people make the mistake of not using the proper amount of lotion on their body. It is a rule of thumb to use a teaspoonful of lotion for your face and then follow with an ounce of lotion for the rest of the body. Quite simply, follow the instruction on the bottle to be sure you are getting the right amount of lotion you need for the maximum protection.
Protecting your skin is certainly an important part of your health regimen. If you do not do it properly or frequently, you will look years beyond your real age and your potential for skin cancer certainly increases. You only get one skin and it is your responsibility to take care of it for your health and your future.
