Protecting Yourself from Skin Cancer While Enjoying Summer Fun Outdoors

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is encouraging everyone to take precautionary measures before heading outdoors for summer fun. Skin cancer is a serious issue that affects people of all races and skin types. Through this article, we will take a closer look at some tips for enjoying the sun safely this summer.

Wear Protective Clothing

Wearing the right clothing is one of the most effective ways to protect your skin from the sun. It is recommended to wear long-sleeved shirts and wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses whenever possible. These items provide additional coverage and help to shade the skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Choose the Right Sunscreen and Reapply Every Two Hours or After Swimming

Sunscreen is an essential part of any sun safety routine. It is important to choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied all over the body before heading out into the sun and reapplied every two hours or after swimming. According to DHEC, this is an easy way to protect oneself from the sun’s harmful rays.

Regular Skin Checks are Recommended

Regular self checks on your skin twice a year are recommended as well. If you see a concerning area that’s scaly, darker in color, or has an irregular shape, get it checked out. These may be signs of skin cancer and early detection is critical for successful treatment. Doctor Brannon Traxler, Chief Medical Officer with DHEC, says that every skin tone is at risk. Not just those who are fair-skinned and freckled but all skin tones. Knowing what is normal for you and any change and quickly getting it checked out is crucial.

Share Your Story and Protect Your Children

Cassandra Harris, Assistant Director of Health Programs for DHEC, shares her personal experience with skin cancer. She was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma in her early twenties, and more recently squamous cell carcinoma. For her, sailing competitively throughout her youth and collegiate sailing impacted her later on in life. She suggests that sharing stories of skin cancer and protective measures with children and making sure they have a great routine early on will have a lasting impact. Even her one-year-old daughter is protected from the sun by wearing a hat and sunscreen, which are immensely important for the whole family.

Conclusion

Protecting yourself from skin cancer while enjoying summer fun outdoors is not only possible but easy by following these tips. Wear protective clothing, use the right sunscreen, regular skin check-ups, share your stories, and set up protective routines for the whole family. Remember, skin cancer is a serious issue that can affect anyone regardless of race, age, or skin type, and following these basic sun safety tips can help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

Originally Post From https://www.abccolumbia.com/2024/06/21/dhec-urges-use-of-sunscreen-protective-measures-before-spending-time-in-the-sun/

DHEC advises on the importance of sunscreen and protective measures for sun exposure ABC Columbia