• Wear sunscreen year round. Clouds do little to cut down on UV rays and may actually serve to reflect them and increase your UV exposure. Make sure it contains a broad spectrum SPF 30 such as DERMAdoctor Ain't Misbehavin' clarifying sunscreen spf 30 PA+++.
  • Wear a hat with a 4-inch wide brim Run of the mill baseball hats offer little to no protection.
  • Sunglasses with UVA/UVB coating will help protect your eyes from harmful rays and help prevent melanoma from developing at the back of the eyes.
  • Windows and automobile windshields offer little protection to screening the sun’s rays unless they have been specially treated. Check with your auto shop if you spend a great deal of time in the car. Think you don’t spend much time in the car? According to the National Household Travel Survey of 1995, "soccer" moms spend the equivalent of 17 days (or 408 hours) a year in the car.
  • Try to avoid the sun between the hours of 12 to 3pm. This is when the sun is at its strongest.
  • Look for shade tree. It’s a proven fact that shade trees do help reduce the amount of UV light that reaches the ground. While not perfect (sitting in the shade is not an excuse to skip the sunscreen), heavy foliage does help filter the sun.

COMPLETE SKIN EXAMS

There’s no reason to feel embarrassed if you want the opinion of an expert. Many people feel uncomfortable trying to judge their own moles. And dermatologists aren’t expecting you to play doctor. May offers a great opportunity to visit one of literally thousands of skin cancer screenings held across the U.S.

These skin cancer screenings provide an easy method to have skin growths evaluated, usually free of charge. Check the local newspaper and watch for an event near you. Those found to have a suspicious skin lesion should be told to make a doctor appointment for further evaluation. Whether it’s through a public skin cancer screening or a trip to your dermatologist, get a baseline complete skin exam and make it a part of your annual general health routine.

This month, make sure you take the necessary steps to protect yourself and your loved ones. It’s easy, painless and vital.

Audrey Kunin, M.D.

This content is sponsored by DERMAdoctor. The author receives compensation for its creation. All content is the legal copyright of DERMAdoctor, Inc, and it may not be used, reprinted, or published without written consent.


The information provided is for entertainment purposes only and is not intended to provide medical, legal or other professional advice.