According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than five million cases of non-melanoma skin cancer occur every year, and one in five Americans will develop some form of skin cancer during their life. These high statistics are alarming, but there is hope: there are easy steps you can take to protect your skin from this problem with skin cancer prevention methods.
The following three skin cancer prevention tips are among the most efficient and most straightforward to implement. They are also inexpensive, as they require almost no cash investment. Contact Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta today to learn more!
1. Avoid cold sores
The broken skin caused by cold sores can increase your risk of developing skin cancer by exposing more of your delicate skin membranes to UV rays. That’s why it’s crucial to avoid cold sores using the following methods:
- Never share food or drinks with people who may have severe sores.
- Keep items that touch your lips (such as lip balms or toothbrushes) to yourself.
- Wash your hands after going to the bathroom and shaking hands.
- Avoid intimate contact with people you don’t trust.
If you already have cold sores, treat them with an appropriate cream or cover them up with lotion to keep them safe from exposure to the sun.
2. Protect your skin from the sun
When you’re out in the sun, you need to protect your skin with long-sleeved shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and suntan lotion with high SPF ratings (50 or higher). Avoid peak sunlight exposure by staying indoors between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when possible.
And for your skin’s sake, stay out of tanning beds. Yes, your tan will look great, but prolonged exposure to UV rays in these beds can be highly dangerous to your skin.
3. Keep your skin hydrated
If your skin is dry, it isn’t healthy and, if it isn’t healthy, it can’t fight off the harmful effects of UV rays. Keep your skin hydrated by following these simple steps:
- Drink eight to 10 glasses of water every day to stay well-hydrated.
- Apply moisture cream without sodium lauryl sulfate to dry areas (such as your elbows) as needed.
- Limit your shower time to five to 10 minutes, as extended physical exposure to water can dry your skin.
- Exercise regularly to promote healthy blood flow.
At Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta, we offer skin cancer treatment in Atlanta. If you’re concerned you may be susceptible to skin cancer or want to learn more about skin cancer prevention, please contact us today to stay on top of the latest breakthroughs.