May is Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month

Protect Your Skin in the Sun

It's never too late to begin protecting your skin from the sun's harmful rays. Minimizing sun exposure is the best way to prevent skin damage, including many types of skin cancer. Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute encourages you to follow these tips year-round to enjoy the sun safely and help prevent sun-related skin problems:

• Avoid the strongest sun rays of the day between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
• Follow the shadow rule. If your shadow is shorter than you, the sun is at its highest intensity. Seek shade!
• Wear protective clothing when possible. A wide-brimmed hat shading your face, ears and neck; sunglasses with UV absorption to protect your eyes and surrounding skin; and long-sleeved, tightly woven clothing that you cannot see through when held up to the light can help block harmful rays and serve as a line of defense against sun exposure. Cotton and linen fabrics are smart choices for hot weather.
• Generously apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or more about 20 minutes before going outside to allow time for the active ingredients in the sunscreen to reach the protection level. Reapply every two hours or at the first sensation of tingling or burning. Don't forget to apply on cloudy or overcast days too!
• Apply a lip balm with at least SPF 15 on your lips.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand because they reflect and intensify the damaging rays of the sun, which can increase your chances of sunburn.
• Avoid artificial tanning devices. UVA rays from tanning beds and sun lamps are 20 times stronger than natural sun, and can damage your skin. Consider using a sunless self-tanning product as an alternative. 

Remember, skin cancer is very treatable when caught early. If you notice a suspicious mole, sore, or skin growth, or any bleeding on your skin, schedule an appointment with a dermatologist.