According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. Fortunately, it is also one of the most curable if caught early.
Our team at AFC Urgent Care Hartsdale wants to offer you tips on how you can take steps to reduce your risk of skin cancer in your lifetime.
Who Gets Skin Cancer?
While men are more likely to be diagnosed with nonmelanoma skin cancer than women, women who are under the age of 50 have a greater chance of being diagnosed with melanoma.
Therefore, it is important for both men and women to take skin protection seriously. One in five Americans will be diagnosed with skin cancer by age 70.
Ways to Protect Your Skin
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 on all exposed skin.
- Wear sunscreen even on cloudy days, since the sun's rays can peek through.
- Wear wide-brimmed hats to protect your face and neck.
- Use sunglasses with UVA/UVB protection.
- Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours while outdoors, or more often if sweating or swimming.
What If I Want a Glowing Skin This Summer?
While many people might think that tanning is the only way to achieve a summer glow, this is actually not the case. In fact, tanning will only hurt your skin by aging it more quickly and increasing your risk of skin cancer.
Keep applying the sunscreen when outdoors—and use these other methods instead to promote glowing skin.
Ways to Get Glowing Skin
- Drink plenty of water.
- Don't smoke.
- Moisturize immediately after showering or bathing.
- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables.
- Exfoliate to promote skin turnover.
