Summer is Here and Skin Cancer is Real!

Summertime is upon us and with it brings longer days filled with outdoor activities. These activities are almost always held in direct sunlight. The effect of the sun on skin can be a lasting, lifelong issue that can lead to health problems and even cancer. This summer, spend as much time in the sun as you like; just protect yourself from its damage.

Skin cancer is one of the main threats the sun has for your skin. But does the sun really cause cancer? There are clearly certain precursors to contracting skin cancer. Over exposure to the sun, being the main one usually happens early in life. Older people are often amazed by the fact that the "sun spots" diagnosed as skin cancer were actually caused by spending too much time in the sun when they were a kid. According to an article I read recently, by the time you reach the age of 18, your skin has already been exposed to enough harmful rays to raise the possibility of skin cancer later in life. This by no means gives older people the freedom to traipse around sunbathing for hours with no sunscreen, but it does lead us to the understanding that treating our skin well from an early age will have a life long effect.

Over exposure to the suns rays has been thought to cause premature aging as well. This does not mean you have to avoid the sun all together for fear of looking 50 when you are merely 20. The use of sunscreens and lotions containing sunscreen can protect your skin from the damaging rays. I recently read a piece that covered sunscreen usage perfectly. Associated Content's Content Producer J.E. Davidson offers a wealth of information on skin care and the effects of overexposure on the skin. As the skin ages, it not only thins but loses its ability to retain moisture. The more time we spend out in the sun unprotected the more quickly this thinning and drying process occurs. This is what will essentially lead to an over aging of the skin. You may feel 20 but your skin will not only look 50 but feel 50 as well.