The sun's rays, which are called ultraviolet A and ultraviolet B rays (UVA and UVB rays) damage your skin. This leads to early wrinkles, skin cancer and other skin problems.
Being in the sun too often for too long can lead to skin cancer, even if you don't burn. A tan is the body's attempt to protect itself from the sun's harmful rays.
Skin Cancer: Saving Your Skin From Sun Damage
Why is the sun so bad for my skin?
Are tanning booths safer?
No. Tanning booths use ultraviolet rays. Makers of the booths may claim that they use "harmless" UVA rays. But both UVA and UVB rays cause skin damage. While UVA rays take longer than UVB rays to damage the skin, they go deeper into the skin than UVB rays.
On what parts of the body is skin cancer most likely to occur?
Most skin cancers occur on parts of the body that are repeatedly exposed to the sun. These areas include the head, neck, face, tips of the ears, hands, forearms, shoulders, back, chests of men, and the back and lower legs of women.
What are the risk factors for skin cancer?
A number of factors may put you at higher risk of having skin cancer:
- Having fair skin, red or blond hair
- Having light-colored eyes
- Sunburning easily
- Having many moles, freckles or birthmarks
- Working or playing outside
- Being in the sun a lot as a child
- Having had a serious sunburn
- Having had skin cancer, or having family members who have had skin cancer
- Tanning in the sun or with a sunlamp
How can I prevent skin cancer?
The key is to avoid being in the sun or using sunlamps. If you're going to be in the sun for any length of time, wear clothes made from tight-woven fabric so the sun's rays can't get through to your skin, and stay in the shade when you can. Wear long sleeves and a wide-brimmed hat to protect your face, neck, shoulders and ears.
Remember that clouds and water won't protect you--60% to 80% of the sun's rays go through clouds and can reach swimmers at least one foot below the surface of the water. The sun's rays can also reflect off water, snow and white sand.
Remember that clouds and water won't protect you--60% to 80% of the sun's rays go through clouds and can reach swimmers at least one foot below the surface of the water. The sun's rays can also reflect off water, snow and white sand.
Tips on preventing skin cancer
- Avoid the sun, especially from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when the sun's rays are the strongest.
- Don't use tanning booths or sunlamps.
- Wear protective clothing and a hat whenever you go outside. Remember that you are often exposed to the sun while driving, especially your hands and arms.
- Wear sunglasses that wrap and are rated to block at least 99% of UVA sunlight.
- Check your skin every month for signs of skin cancer. (See how to check your skin below.)
- If you see an area on your skin that looks unusual, ask your family doctor about it.
Should I use sunscreen?
Yes. Besides staying out of the sun and wearing the right kind of clothing whenever possible, use sunscreen to help protect your skin. But don't think that you're completely safe from the sun just because you're wearing sunscreen. Sunscreen cannot give you 100% protection against the sun's harmful UV radiation.
What's the right way to use sunscreen?
There are certain things you can do to make sure you are getting as much protection as possible from your sunscreen.
- Use sunscreens with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or more.
- Check the expiration date—some ingredients in sunscreen break down over time.
- Put the sunscreen everywhere the sun's rays might touch you, including your ears, the back of your neck and bald areas of your scalp. Be sure to apply enough sunscreen to cover all skin that may be exposed to the sun.
- Apply it 30 minutes before going outside so that it can be absorbed by the skin. Put more on every hour if you're sweating or swimming.
- If you are using a sunscreen spray lotion, keep the spray bottle close to the part the body you are spraying. If you spray from too far away, you may not cover all skin that the sun’s rays will touch.
What's the best way to do a skin self-examination?
The best way is to use a full-length mirror and a hand-held mirror to check every inch of your skin.
1. First, you need to learn where your birthmarks, moles and blemishes are and what they usually look like. Check for anything new, such as a change in the size, texture or color of a mole, or a sore that doesn't heal.
2. Look at the front and back of your body in the mirror, then raise your arms and look at the left and right sides.
3. Bend your elbows and look carefully at your palms and forearms, including the undersides, and your upper arms.
4. Check the back and front of your legs.
5. Look between your buttocks and around your genital area.
6. Sit and closely examine your feet, including the bottoms of your feet and the spaces between your toes.
7. Look at your face, neck and scalp. You may want to use a comb or a blow dryer to move hair so that you can see better.
By checking yourself regularly, you'll get familiar with what's normal for you. If you find anything unusual, see your doctor. The earlier skin cancer is found, the better.
By checking yourself regularly, you'll get familiar with what's normal for you. If you find anything unusual, see your doctor. The earlier skin cancer is found, the better.
What does a normal mole look like?
A normal mole is solid tan, brown, dark brown or flesh colored. Its edges are well-defined. It's usually smaller than 1/4 inch in diameter and has a round or oval shape. It should be flat or dome-like.
How can I tell if my mole isn't normal?
The main thing to look for is any change in a mole that you have or the appearance of a new mole. Most normal moles appear by age 30. Any moles that appear after age 30 should be watched carefully and brought to the attention of your family doctor.
Signs of skin cancer ABCDE rule
A for asymmetry: A mole that, when divided in half, doesn't look the same on both sides
B for border: A mole with edges that are blurry or jagged
C for color: Changes in the color of a mole, including darkening, spread of color, loss of color, or the appearance of multiple colors such as blue, red, white, pink, purple or gray
D for diameter: A mole larger than 1/4 inch in diameter
E for elevation: A mole that is raised above the skin and has an uneven surface
B for border: A mole with edges that are blurry or jagged
C for color: Changes in the color of a mole, including darkening, spread of color, loss of color, or the appearance of multiple colors such as blue, red, white, pink, purple or gray
D for diameter: A mole larger than 1/4 inch in diameter
E for elevation: A mole that is raised above the skin and has an uneven surface
Other signs include
- A mole that bleeds
- A fast-growing mole
- A scaly or crusted growth on the skin
- A sore that won't heal
- A mole that itches
More Information
For more information talk to your doctor or visit familydoctor.org.
Other Organizations
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American Academy of Dermatology
http://www.aad.org/public
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National Cancer Institute
http://www.cancer.gov
Source
Written by familydoctor.org editorial staff.
American Academy of Family Physicians
Reviewed/Updated: 07/10
Created: 01/96
Copyright © 1996-2010 American Academy of Family Physicians
