Three skin cancers? I wish I knew these sun care tips in my 20s! Protect your skin now for a healthier future. #SkinCancer #SunCare #Dermatology
Explanation in video
Hey everyone, John here! We all love a bit of sunshine, right? It brightens our mood, gets us outdoors, and just generally makes things feel a bit more cheerful. But, like many good things, too much sun can have a downside, especially for our skin. I recently came across some really valuable advice from someone who knows this topic inside out – a dermatologist (that’s a skin doctor!) who has also personally battled skin cancer. She shared that having “three skin cancers was definitely a big shock and wake-up call” for her, and it made her realize there were some crucial things she wished she’d known earlier, especially in her 20s.
So, I thought it would be super helpful to break down her top tips for all of us, no matter our age. Think of this as your friendly guide to enjoying the sun safely. Lila, my wonderful assistant, is here with me too, and she’ll be chiming in with questions just like you might have!
Lila: “Hi John! I’m definitely interested. I love being outside, but I admit I don’t always think about sun protection unless I’m at the beach.”
John: “Exactly, Lila! And that’s a common thought. So let’s dive into what this expert wishes she’d known.”
Sunscreen: Your Everyday Superhero, Not Just for Sunny Days!
This first tip is a big one: Sunscreen isn’t just for those scorching summer days at the beach or by the pool. It should be a daily habit, like brushing your teeth or washing your face, even if it’s cloudy or you’re just popping out for a bit.
Lila: “Wait, John, even on cloudy days? I always thought if I can’t see the sun, I’m safe.”
John: “That’s a really common misconception, Lila! The sun gives off invisible rays called Ultraviolet rays, or UV rays for short. Think of them like sneaky little ninjas – you can’t always see them, but they can pass through clouds and still reach your skin. These UV rays are what can cause sunburn, premature aging (like wrinkles!), and increase the risk of skin cancer over time.”
Lila: “UV rays… so those are the culprits! Are there different kinds?”
John: “Great question! There are mainly two types we talk about concerning skin: UVA rays, which are like the ‘aging’ rays that can cause wrinkles and long-term damage, and UVB rays, which are the ‘burning’ rays that cause sunburn. Both types can contribute to skin cancer. That’s why you’ll often see sunscreens labeled ‘broad-spectrum’ – it means they protect against both UVA and UVB.”
The expert dermatologist stresses the importance of applying a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every single morning. And no, getting a “base tan” doesn’t protect you. Any tan is actually a sign that your skin has been damaged by UV radiation. So, the best defense is consistent, daily protection.
Lila: “Okay, SPF 30 – I see that on bottles. But what does SPF actually stand for, John?”
John: “Excellent question, Lila! SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor. It’s mostly a measure of how well a sunscreen protects you from those UVB rays – the ones that cause sunburn. For example, if your skin normally starts to burn after 10 minutes in the sun, an SPF 30 sunscreen is designed to allow you to stay in the sun about 30 times longer, so 300 minutes, without burning. But that’s in perfect lab conditions! In real life, we sweat, we might not apply enough, so it’s crucial to reapply regularly, especially after swimming or sweating, and not just rely on the SPF number to stay out all day.”
So, the takeaway here is: make sunscreen a non-negotiable part of your morning routine, rain or shine, summer or winter!
Beyond the Bottle: Sunscreen is Great, But It’s Not a Magic Shield!
Alright, so we’ve established that daily sunscreen is a must. But the expert dermatologist also wants us to know that sunscreen alone isn’t a complete solution. Think of sun protection like building a super-secure fortress to protect your skin. Sunscreen is one very important wall, but you need other defenses too!
Lila: “Other defenses? Like what, John?”
John: “Great question! We need to think about a multi-layered approach. Here are some key things the expert recommends in addition to your daily sunscreen:”
- Wear Protective Clothing: This can be long-sleeved shirts, pants, and skirts. Darker colors and tightly woven fabrics generally offer more protection than light, loosely woven ones.
- Hats are Your Friends: Specifically, a wide-brimmed hat that shades your face, neck, and ears. Baseball caps are okay, but they leave your ears and neck exposed.
- Don’t Forget Sunglasses: Protect your eyes and the delicate skin around them! Look for sunglasses that block 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays.
- Seek Shade: This is especially important during the sun’s peak hours, which are typically between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, it’s a good time to find some shade under a tree, an umbrella, or indoors.
Lila: “That makes sense, John. So it’s like having a whole toolkit, not just one tool. You mentioned protective clothing – I’ve sometimes seen clothes labeled with ‘UPF’. Is that special?”
John: “You’re absolutely right, Lila, it’s about having a complete toolkit! And yes, UPF is special. UPF stands for Ultraviolet Protection Factor. It’s a rating system for clothing, similar to how SPF is for sunscreen. It tells you how much of the sun’s UV radiation (both UVA and UVB) a fabric blocks. For example, a garment with a UPF of 50 allows only 1/50th (or 2%) of the UV radiation to pass through it. So, if you’re going to be out in the sun for a long time, UPF clothing can be a fantastic extra layer of defense.”
The expert really emphasizes that relying only on sunscreen can give a false sense of security. It’s best to combine it with these other smart sun habits.
The Sneaky Spots: Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Off Guard!
This third tip is something many of us, myself included, can be guilty of overlooking. When we apply sunscreen, we often focus on the main areas like our face, arms, and legs. But the dermatologist, from her own tough experience, warns us not to forget the “easy-to-miss” spots.
Lila: “Oh, I bet I miss some spots! Which ones are we talking about, John?”
John: “It’s super common, Lila! Here are some of the key areas that often get neglected, but are very vulnerable to sun damage:”
- Your Ears: Especially the tops and backs. The expert herself had skin cancer on her ear, which is a powerful reminder.
- The Back and Sides of Your Neck: Easy to miss, especially if you have shorter hair.
- Your Scalp: If you have thinning hair or a parting, your scalp is directly exposed. A hat is best here, but spray sunscreens can also help.
- The Tops of Your Feet: Think about when you’re wearing sandals or flip-flops!
- The Backs of Your Hands: Our hands are almost always exposed to the sun when we’re outdoors, and they can show signs of aging and sun damage quickly.
- Around Your Eyes: The skin here is very thin and delicate. Use a gentle sunscreen formulated for the eye area or rely on good UV-protective sunglasses.
Lila: “Wow, the tops of my ears and feet – I definitely don’t always remember those. Why are these ‘sneaky spots’ so important to cover?”
John: “They’re important, Lila, because the skin there is just as susceptible to damage as anywhere else, and sometimes even more so because it’s thinner or gets more direct sun without us realizing it. Because they’re often forgotten, they can accumulate a lot of sun exposure over the years without protection. As I mentioned, the dermatologist who shared these tips actually developed skin cancer on her ear. That really drives home the point that we need to be thorough and cover all exposed skin.”
So, next time you’re putting on sunscreen, take an extra minute to consciously cover these often-forgotten areas. It’s a small step that can make a big difference.
A Few Final Thoughts…
John: “You know, reading through these tips from someone who’s both a medical expert and has faced skin cancer personally really makes you think. It’s easy to feel like ‘it won’t happen to me,’ especially when we’re younger. But these are such simple, practical steps that can genuinely protect our health in the long run. It’s not about being scared of the sun, but more about being smart and respectful of its power.”
Lila: “I completely agree, John! I used to think sunscreen was just for beach holidays or really hot days. But now I understand it’s more like an everyday health habit, like you said, brushing my teeth. And I’ll definitely be paying more attention to my ears and the tops of my feet from now on! It’s good to know these things so we can enjoy being outside safely.”
This article is based on the following original source, summarized from the author’s perspective:
I’m A Derm & Skin Cancer Survivor: 3 Things I Wish I Knew In My 20s