Northern California e-news

Skin safety under the sun

Skin cancer is the most common kind of cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.* Thankfully, it's also one of the easiest to treat and cure when found early. And there are steps you can take to help prevent it.

The best way to lower your risk of skin cancer is to stay out of the sun during its strongest hours, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If that's not possible, protect yourself by wearing loose-fitting clothes that cover your arms and legs, as well as a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection.

And anytime you go outside, apply sunscreen first. Follow these tips to make sure you're protecting yourself as well as possible.

• Use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 that also protects against both UVB and UVA rays. Check the expiration date on the bottle. Generally, sunscreen is good for up to three years.
• Put on sunscreen at least 30 minutes before going outside to give it time to absorb.
• Make sure to cover all exposed skin, including easy-to-forget places like ears and feet (if you're wearing sandals). Usually, one ounce — about a palmful — is the amount needed to cover an adult body.
• Reapply at least every two to three hours, and more frequently if you've been swimming or are sweating a lot.
• Don't forget your lips: Use a lip balm with an SPF of 15 or more to keep your mouth sunburn-free too.

Read more about how to keep your skin safe from the sun. 

*Kaiser Permanente is not responsible for the content or policies of external Internet sites.

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