Temperatures are warming up, causing many of us to want to stay outside practically every day of the week. It’s important to wear sunscreen every day (even on cloudy days), avoid intense sun exposure during peak hours (10 am to 4 pm) and wear protective clothing. But often, we experience unintentional sun exposure, such as when we are taking a short drive or taking a short walk. It’s good to be knowledgeable of the signs to look for in skin cancer. Here’s what you should know:
Be mindful of any new, changing or unusual moles
Most of the time, moles are harmless, colored spots of skin. Often raised or flat, hair or hairless, moles are usually not anything to worry about – except when they start to change shape, color or size. Check your ABC’s to note any worries:
A – Asymmetric – Harmless moles are symmetrical, but moles to worry about have odd shapes
B – Borders – Cancerous moles tend to be uneven and have scalloped or notched edges
C – Color – Cancerous moles can be multiple shades of brown, tan or black. As it grows, the colors red, white or blue may appear
D – Diameter – If it’s more than 6 millimeters in size, you may want to get it checked out
E- Evolving – Think your mole is changing in size, shape, color or elevation? Check it with a healthcare professional
Wear sunscreen every day, on every body part, with at least SPF 30
Accidental sun exposure over time can develop new moles. By wearing sunscreen each day (even on cloudy days), you’ll prevent harm caused by accidental sun exposure. For your best protection, you can trust medical-grade products that have been clinically-tested for proven results. Some of our favorite brands are:
Colorescience
From brush-on sunscreen to tinted lip balms, Colorescience has a wealth of UV-protectors that go beyond a standard sunscreen formulation.
SkinCeuticals
The SkinCeuticals line of sunscreens offers multiple solutions for your lifestyle. Choose a sheer formulation, a sport formulation or even one for your eyes.
Revisions Skincare
Award-winning Intellishade® Broad Spectrum SPF 45 comes in 3 formulas– original, matte and TruPhysical – that leaves a healthy, natural glow. This anti-aging daily moisturizer is intelligently designed to deliver the power of 5 anti-aging products in 1. Helps to correct, protect, conceal, brighten and hydrate skin to deliver clinically-proven results. This 5-in-1 moisturizer features over 20 age-defying ingredients, broad-spectrum SPF45 protection plus a universal tint for an instant glow.
EltaMD
These facial and body sunscreens are formulated with transparent zinc oxide and are non-comedogenic, sensitivity-free, fragrance-free and paraben-free. Plus tinted sunscreen options allows you to go foundation-free this spring.
Regularly check your skin
Have someone – a friend or healthcare provider – check your skin for unusual or new moles. Let’s be honest. We see our skin every day, so it’s easy to overlook minor details.
Prevention is key when it comes to keeping skin cancer at bay. Curious to learn other ways to protect your skin from sun exposure? Schedule a consultation with us today 770-667-3090!
