Sun Protection: Tips to Protect Against Skin Cancer and Premature Aging

Warmer weather has arrived and with warmer weather comes the threat of skin cancer. While most Americans know about the dangers of sun exposure and how to protect themselves, however, a lot of people rarely take them time to protect themselves. This is even more apparent when you look at the stats about skin cancer. One out of every five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during there lifetime. Having five sunburns over any period of time will double your chance of skin cancer and mere one childhood sun burn doubles your melanoma in your lifetime. These are some scary skin cancer stats and lots of these cases could be prevented. Here is skin cancer prevention in a nut shell.

Skin Damage

Sunlight carries two harmful rays. UVA rays got deep into your skin and is the main culprit for premature aging. UVB rays enter the skin and cause burning. Sunlight causes the cells called melanocytes that are found in your skin to produce melanin. Melanin in turn darkens your skin and causes your skin to tan. A base tan will actually provide you with a 2-4 SPF from skin damage. Sunlight also can cause damage to your eyes and hair.

Prevention

-Ultraviolet rays are strongest during the hours of ten in the morning until four in the afternoon. You should avoid direct sunlight during these hours. If you have to be out between these hours you should take extra precaution against the sun.

-You should check to make sure that your sunglasses block both kinds of UV rays. The wider the lenses are the more protection they provide. So, there is a good thing about those hideously large sunglasses that are so popular right now.

- Clothing also provides a small amount of protection from the sun. Tightly woven fabrics and dark colored clothing provide the most UV protection. To test the protection factor of your clothing, you can hold up your clothing to the light. The less light that you can see through it, the more protection that it will provide. However, if clothing becomes wet it will cut its protection by half.

Protection