The spring season has officially arrived, and as short sleeved shirts and tank tops begin to surface it's important to protect your skin from the sun. The sun's ultraviolet rays (UVA and UVB) are the first thing to touch your skin the minute you step outside, which can be very harmful and damaging to your skin's health, and even worse, it can eventually lead to skin cancer. In order to guard your skin, using a simple chemical agent known as
Sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ can really go a long way. It is important to remember that the higher the SPF number, the greater the protection is for your skin. Not only does it reflect most of the UV rays away from your skin, but it can also protect against sun burn. Sunscreen or Sunblock should also be used with other safety gear such as,
safety glasses, sun glasses, wide brimmed hats, caps, or visors. To maximize your protection even more you should apply your sunscreen every half hour to 45 minutes. Sunscreen/Sunblock come in many different varieties so it's important to choose the one that is right for you. The typical type of Sunblock comes in the form of
lotion, but other types include; sprays,
towelettes, creams and gels.
Do I need to wear Sunscreen? There are many different types of skin. Truth is every skin type should be protecting their skin with some form of Sunblock. Melanoma is one of the most serious types of skin cancer among many others. A majority of the transformations found in Melanoma come from ultraviolet radiation. Here are some more important facts about MELANOMA:
- A person's risk for melanoma doubles if he or she has had five or more sunburns at any age.
- More than 20 Americans die each day from skin cancer, primarily melanoma. One person dies of melanoma almost every hour (every 62 minutes).
- Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer for males and sixth most common for females.
Self examination may be the first thing you do before heading to the doctor for any suspicious spots, but wearing sunscreen outdoors even on a cloudy day is the first step to skin protection. Especially those working in construction and other related outdoor activities.
