One in five. That’s how many people will develop skin cancer at some point in their lives. Breaking down this alarming number a bit more, approximately 9,500 Americans are diagnosed with skin cancer every day.
Since May is Skin Cancer Awareness month in the United States, the skilled team of skincare experts at Orange Coast Dermatology wants to take this opportunity to remind you about the importance of sun protection. And putting skin cancer aside for a second, sun protection is also key to preserving your youthful skin.
The three main types of skin cancer — basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma — are all tied directly to sun exposure. In more detail, the sun emits ultraviolet (UV) rays that lead to radiation in your skin.
Throughout your life, you’ve likely had a sunburn or two. These painful episodes are caused by overexposure to the sun’s UV rays, which literally burn your skin. Although a sunburn is certainly a wake-up call to the potential damage that comes from exposure to the sun, over time, UV exposure can damage your skin cells in a way that leads to abnormal and cancerous skin cell growth.
To be sure, there is some good that comes from the sun, and we aren’t recommending that you turn to a nocturnal life and avoid the sun altogether.
For example, sun exposure helps your body to produce vitamin D, which is important for your bone health. But fair-skinned people only need about 10 minutes of sun exposure each day to kickstart vitamin D production in their bodies. Darker skin tones can go up to about half an hour.
The sun also helps boost your mood, and it can help regulate your sleep-wake cycles. Again, moderation is key, so about 30 minutes of sun exposure should be just fine.
For the rest of the time, and especially here in sunny California, it’s important to avoid too much exposure to harmful UV rays, which can be accomplished by:
We should also mention that you should avoid any artificial sources of sun, namely tanning beds, at all costs. Tanning beds deliver higher levels of radiation and are a fast track to poor skin health.
Steps that protect you against too much sun exposure can also go a long way toward avoiding premature aging in your skin, or photoaging. If you consider that photoaging is responsible for up to 90% of the visible signs of aging in your skin, you might be more motivated to practice sun safety.
From treating skin cancer to erasing the signs of aging in your skin, we’re here for all your skincare needs. If you have more questions about sun protection or you’d like to schedule an appointment with one of our skincare experts, please contact one of our offices in Rancho Santa Margarita, Orange, or Mission Viejo, California, today.
