7 Tips for Preventing Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a dangerous and often unpredictable disease, but that doesn’t mean you’re helpless to stop it. In fact, most of the best skin cancer prevention strategies work seamlessly into your daily routine.

This Skin Cancer Awareness Month, Kathleen J. Smith, MD, and our Dermatology Specialists of Atlanta team bring you a comprehensive guide to keeping your skin healthy for the long haul. 

1. Avoid the sun during peak hours

We have a love-hate relationship with the sun. Sunlight offers many benefits for physical and mental health. However, you can have too much of a good thing. Since we Georgians enjoy almost year-round sunshine, we want our patients to enjoy it safely. 

Remember that the sun is strongest at certain times of the day, so if you can help it, stay indoors or under a shady tree between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. This is still true, even if it’s cloudy outside. The clouds might block a significant amount of the sun’s rays, but you can still get a sunburn on an overcast day. 

2. Lather up

Putting on sunscreen should be part of your daily routine, whether it’s sunny outside or not. And these days, you have tons of sunscreen options (perhaps too many). We’re here to simplify the process.

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends your sunscreen say these words: 

• Broad spectrum
• SPF 30 or higher
• Water-resistant

Broad-spectrum sunscreens protect against UVA and UVB rays, both of which can cause cancer. SPF (sun protection factor) refers to the amount of time your sunscreen will last — you want it to last for at least 30 minutes. 

It’s also important that your sunscreen resists water and sweat. Even so, remember to reapply every two hours after swimming or sweating.

Still not sure which bottle to grab? We’re happy to make a recommendation for you. 

3. Cover up

Sunscreen isn’t your only line of defense. You can wear sun-protective clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF). Clothing with an UPF of 50 or higher blocks 98% of the sun’s rays.

Wide-brimmed hats and long sleeves work just as well if you also put on a layer of sunscreen.

4. Skip the fake tan

Tanning beds, especially those that operate with ultraviolet lights, damage your skin and can lead to skin cancer. If you must tan, talk to us about your safest options. 

5. Stay vigilant

You’re usually the first to notice a change in your skin’s health. We strongly encourage everyone to check their skin regularly for new moles or spots. Unsure if you’ve discovered a dangerous skin change? Follow the AAD’s basic guidelines for spotting a suspicious mole.

6. Know your risk

Skin cancer doesn’t discriminate, but it does pose a larger threat to some than others. You’re more at risk for skin cancer if you:

• Are out in the sun most of the time
• Have lighter skin
• Have a family history of skin cancer
• Have prevalent moles
• Have experienced frequent sunburns
• Have a weakened immune system
• Live in sunny or high-altitude areas

If you identify with any risk factors for skin cancer, you should take extra care to protect your skin from damage.

7. Watch what you eat

Some notice a connection between a diet high in processed oils, such as soybean, vegetable, corn, sunflower, and safflower oil, and more frequent sunburns. Do your best to limit your consumption of these oils and ensure you’re getting plenty of skin-friendly foods, like healthy fats, zinc, magnesium, and vitamin D.

If you’d like more information about skin care and protection, or if you’d like to talk about our lineup of skin care services, call or click to schedule an appointment with the team at our Decatur, Georgia, office today.