Sunscreen Helps Protect Against Skin Cancer

According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), more than 1 million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed every year. Various studies have found links between sun exposure and melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. The AAD recommends that everyone use a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 year-round.

The AAD recommends that sunscreen be worn on all exposed areas of the skin. While UVB rays cannot penetrate glass windows, UVA rays can, leaving you exposed to the damages if unprotected. It can be applied under make-up, and should be applied 15-30 minutes before going outdoors.

Although there are a lot of sunscreens out there, any basic form of sunscreen that is water-resistant with an SPF of at least 15 should do the trick. The AAD’s sunscreen factsheet, available online, has a list of ingredients you should look for when choosing your sunscreen, including avobenzone, cinoxate, and ecamsule. Other than that, the type of sunscreen you choose is a matter of personal taste. Creams are good for people with dry skin, gels are preferable for hairy areas, such as the scalp, sticks are good around the eyes, and while creams are better for the face, lotions also work well on the face.

No matter which sunscreen you choose, using sunscreen is your best form of protection against skin cancer. Since we cannot prevent other risk factors, such as genetics, it is important we take every precaution when dealing with our skin’s health.