Let’s take extra good care of our skin | NYTimes.com, Cancer.gov.

When the time of year comes when the days get longer and the sun’s rays feel more intense, it’s time to pay more attention to how well we take care of our skin.

After being at home, avoiding the outside for over a year, we will have to be even more careful than usual when going out to sunbathe this summer. Summertime is the season when our skin is continuously exposed to the sun’s rays. Whether it be vacationing at the beach, picnics in the park or swimming pools, our skin care routine should be a bit extra this year.

Below are some tips to help us prevent skin cancer, and why while we’re at it, prevent premature as well.

1. 1. If you know that you will be exposed to the sun, it is advisable to wear suitable clothing that can protect against the sun’s rays. It can be a long-sleeved shirt, a pashmina or, as an accessory, an umbrella.
   2. It’s necessary to stay hydrated and use lip balm with sunscreen to avoid dry lips.
   3. It is very important to get in the habit of using sunscreen daily, even if the day is cloudy or if you work in an office and you’re indoors the major part of your day.

      Due to the ongoing confinement, we spend more time connected to different electronic devices which bombard us with blue light. Yes, prolonged use of your cell phone can affect skin hyperpigmentation, especially on your forehead and around the eyes.

   4. It is important to have sunscreen meant specifically for your face and another one for your body. Remember to apply it at least every 2 hours throughout the day.
   5. It is preferable to avoid tanning beds. Instead, opt for a spray tan.
   6. If you are planning to be outdoors, try to do so gradually. Avoid spending long hours exposed to the sun since our bodies are not used to the sun’s rays as they were before the pandemic

What are the risks? In recent decades, melanoma rates have increased rapidly. For the current year, the estimated number of new cases in the United States is 106,110 and predicted, about 7,180 deaths from melanoma.

Did you know that 1 in 167 Hispanics can be diagnosed with melanoma?

Cancer occurs mostly in adults. Contrary to what most would believe, more than 50% of cases arise in apparently “normal” areas of the skin. That is, without marks or injuries. Normally, this type of cancer occurs in the extremities of the body such as arms and legs for women and in the neck, trunk and head for men.

If you have questions regarding a skin injury or mole, contact your dermatologist to schedule a consultation. Be proactive, take a photo, monitor the injury or area in question before your face-to-face or virtual consultation with your doctor.

For more information on virtual consultations, contact your SAIN medical network at 653-536-7800 or via our contact form.  #BEhealthy

Source: NYTimes.com, Cancer.gov, Loma Linda University Cancer Center