How to Prevent Skin Cancer
Protection Against Different Skin Cancers

The most effective step on how to prevent skin cancer is to avoid the dangerous effects of ultraviolet radiation. Stay out of the sun's harmful rays between 10AM to 4PM as much as possible because it is what causes skin cancer. If you can't keep out of the sun, the next best strategy to prevent the different types of skin cancers is to fully protect yourself from harmful UV radiation side effects.

How to protect yourself from the different types of skin cancers?

To prevent both the melanoma and non-melanoma types such as squamous cell skin cancer, you need to . . .
1. Use a Sunblock or Sunscreen Lotion

Natural and Oil-Free Sunblock
SPF30, US$13.50

If you can't avoid the sun especially at midday, use a good sunblock lotion to prevent sun damage.

A good sunblock is your first step on prevention against the different types of cancer in the epidermis. Apply the lotion daily and generously even if it's cloudy, even if you are dark-skinned and most especially if you're fair-skinned.

A good sunscreen lotion should offer broad-spectrum protection of at least SPF15 for daily use to prevent sun damage. But if you are fair-skinned or live near the equator or in elevated area like the mountains you need a higher SPF for daily use. It should be able to penetrate your skin and not just stay on top of it.

For outdoor activities like swimming, you must liberally apply sunscreen with at least SPF50. Also, don't forget to re-apply to prevent damage.

But some people who have oily skin often complain about the sticky feeling they get from sunblock lotions. I also have oily skin and I'm thankful I discovered sunscreen lotions by Smart Shield because of their natural formula. Their lotions are oil-free, are Aloe Vera Based and are 100% absorbed by the skin for serious protection.

Would you like to know what are the best sunblock ingredients to prevent sun damage? Check out this article: How Does Sunscreen Work.

2. Wear Sunglasses with 100% UV Protection

Use sunglasses that are big enough to fully cover your eyes and that offer 100% UV protection.

UV Protective Sunglasses
with Plutonite Lens

Oakley makes high quality sunglasses that have extended Plutonite lens. These provide 100% coverage and prevent eye damage from the sun's harsh light.

A high quality pair of sunglasses such as one made by Oakley may cost more but it can prevent damage to the delicate facial skin around your eyes and especially to your eyes.

Sunglasses with polarized lenses are the most expensive but they provide the best protection. Oakley also makes good sunglasses with polarized lenses.

Wearing a quality pair of sunglasses is important because the effects of ultraviolet radiation can also damage and weaken your immune system, making you more vulnerable to cancer.

3. Wear Protective Clothing

How to prevent skin cancer? Wearing sun protective or UPF clothing made of tightly woven fabrics is one way to prevent it. UV radiation can pass through light clothing. Dark colored clothes provide more protection than light colored clothing.

Click here to learn how sun protection clothing can prevent UV radiation from harming you.

Using clothing with UV protection is highly recommended especially when you go outdoors for a long period of time. UPF clothes benefit children the most. Clothing manufacturers such as Speedo now make UV Sun Shirts for kids.

4. Wear a Wide-Brimmed Hat or a Sun Hat

Which is better in how to prevent skin cancer: a baseball cap or a wide-brimmed hat?

UV Protective Lago Hats
US$30.00

Always choose a hat with a wide brim to cover your face, the back of your head and neck and your ears is another step on how to prevent skin cancer.

A wide-brim hat provides better prevention against the different types of skin cancers than a baseball cap. The cap won't give enough protection especially if you forgot to apply sunblock.

Many makers of hats now sell their products with sun protection. But remember that a hat is not a substitute for staying away from the sun.

5. Use an Umbrella or Seek Shade

Seek shade or take cover under an umbrella if you can't avoid the midday sun. But keep in mind that a regular umbrella, the trees or a canopy cannot provide complete protection.

UV Protective
Travel Umbrella

Coolibar now makes sun-protective umbrellas with a rating of UPF 50+, which the Skin Cancer Foundation gives a thumbs up to. The umbrella comes in different sizes to suit your unique needs.

The travel model type is lightweight as it is made of titanium. It has a silver external coating that allows UV rays from the sun to bounce off. It provides ample coverage just like the other models. But it is less durable than the other bigger models.

Here's a shadow rule to follow to prevent sun damage: "When your shadow is short, seek shade."

6. Avoid Sunlamps and Tanning Booths

Some people think sunlamps and tanning booths offer a safer way to get a tan. They also think using these equipments don't lead to the different types of skin cancer. The truth is there's no such thing as "safe tanning".

Those tanning equipment also emit harmful radiation that are implicated in melanoma, one of the 3 types of skin cancer and the deadliest. So please, stay away from sunlamps and tanning booths.

These strategies on how to prevent skin cancer should start early in childhood.

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