The hot rays of the summer sun can cause extensive damage to your skin. Repeated sun damage can lead to an increased risk of skin cancer. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 3.5 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year.
Ultraviolet rays can damage your skin even on cloudy days, but the rays tend to cause the most damage on sunny days in late spring and early summer. UV rays reflect off of water, sand, cement, snow, and other surfaces, so you may be exposed even if you are not in direct sunlight. These rays cause the most damage between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Staying in the shade and keeping your skin covered with lightweight clothing can help prevent UV damage to your skin. Several clothing companies now make clothing that helps block UV and UVB rays from reaching your skin.
Wearing a wide brim hat can help keep your head and facial features out of direct sunlight. Wraparound sunglass styles that block both UVA and UVB rays are ideal for preventing sun damage to your eyes.
Use sunscreen with both UVA and UVB protection and a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying one ounce of sunscreen to your entire body thirty minutes before going outside.
Examine your skin from head to toe once a month to check for any skin changes or abnormalities. Here are the main warning signs to watch for according to the Skin Cancer Foundation:
- Spots or sores that itch, hurt, scab, erode, crust, or bleed
- An open sore that doesn’t heal within two weeks
- Skin growths, moles, beauty marks or brown spots that change color
- Growths that appear translucent, pearly, brown, tan, black, or multicolored
- Changes in texture or increased size or thickness
- Asymmetrical skin growths
- Skin growths with an irregular outline or border
- Growths that appear after age 21
- Skin growths that are larger than 6 millimeters (or approximately the size of a pencil eraser)
Protecting your skin is one of the best ways to prevent one of the most common forms of cancer. Use these skin cancer prevention tips and teach your family about the importance of following them.
Helping injured people is what we do at Schuerman Law, and we feel that it is important to share information to help your prevent injuries when possible. Please share these sun safety guidelines with loved ones and friends.
If you or a loved one has been injured, call our office today to schedule a free consultation. We’re on your side and we will help you get the compensation you deserve to offset the costs associated with a personal injury. John Schuerman is a compassionate advocate for injury victims. Schuerman Law has been working with personal injury claims for over 40 years. You can schedule a free consultation today by calling Schuerman Law at 1-800-274-0045.
