Sun safety: Tips for protecting skin and reducing the risk of cancer

With summer quickly approaching and the days getting warmer, it's the perfect time to enjoy more sunshine. Sunlight is essential for our physical, emotional and mental health. From better sleep and reduced stress to a stronger immune system, spending time in the sun offers numerous benefits. However, while sunlight is important for our overall health, it's equally important to protect your skin, even on overcast days.

Whenever you’re outdoors, you should protect your skin from the sun's harmful rays. Practicing sun safety can help lower your risk of sunburn and early signs of skin aging — like age spots, sagging, and wrinkles — and can even reduce your chance of developing skin cancer.

“Protecting your skin from the sun is crucial, because the possibility of getting melanoma — a serious type of skin cancer that starts in the melanocytes, the cells that give skin its color — is largely caused by sun exposure, which means everyone is at risk. Nearly five million people are diagnosed with melanoma a year in the United States, and that is more than all other cancers combined,” said UHS dermatologist Uzoma Oranu, MD.

Tips and prevention

Skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, yet the majority of cases are preventable. Dermatologists advise spending time in shade, wearing protective clothing, and applying sunscreen to practice sun safety and lower your risk of developing skin cancer. Remember the following tips:

• Seek shade ­—Stay in shaded areas when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. You can also look at your shadow. Any time your shadow is shorter than you, seek shade.
• Wear sun-protective clothing — When possible, wear a lightweight and long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection. For more effective protection, select clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label.
• Apply sunscreen — To all skin not covered by clothing, apply a sunscreen that offers:
• Broad-spectrum protection
• Water resistance
• SPF of 30 or higher

If your sunscreen is tinted with iron oxide, it’s best to protect your skin from dark spots. Iron oxide protects your skin from the sun’s visible light. Tinted sunscreens do not leave the white residue or “cast” on your skin that some sunscreens do. Choose a tinted sunscreen that matches your skin tone, and remember to reapply your sunscreen every two hours or after swimming or sweating.

Recognize the signs

Melanoma can appear on the skin in various forms, often resembling a mole, freckle or age spots. Dr. Oranu said, “If a spot or growth on your skin begins to change in shape, size, color, or appearance, it’s a good idea to have it checked by a professional. If it raises concern, your doctor may perform a biopsy and send the sample to pathology for further testing.”

Another possible indicator of melanoma is a spot that looks different from the rest of the spots on your skin — often referred to as the “ugly duckling” sign. A great way to recognize signs of melanoma is the ABCDE rule:

• A is for Asymmetry - Half of the mole or birthmark does not match the other.
• B is for Border - The edges are irregular, ragged, notched or blurred.
• C is for Color - The color is not the same all over and may include different shades of brown or black, or sometimes with patches of pink, red, white or blue.
• D is for Diameter - The spot is larger than 6 millimeters across (about ¼ inch – the size of a pencil eraser), although melanomas can sometimes be smaller.
• E is for Evolving - The mole is changing in size, shape or color.

Getting the right amount of sunlight is different for everyone. It depends on factors like skin tone, age, overall health, diet, and geographic location. Generally, scientists suggest 5 to 15 minutes of sun exposure or up to 30 minutes for those with darker skin is about the right amount without causing health risks. With sunscreen, you can stay out longer and still receive similar benefits. Talk to your doctor about what’s right for you.

Remember, let your doctor know about any new or changing spots on your skin, especially if something looks different from the rest of your moles, freckles or sunspots. Sometimes, it can be difficult to tell the difference between melanoma and an ordinary mole, so it's always best to have any concerning areas checked by your doctor.

For additional information on sun safety or to schedule an appointment with UHS dermatology go to www.nyuhs.org.