Being outside for pool parties, barbecues, and beach trips make summertime so much fun!
How can we spend time outside with our friends and family and still protect our skin from the sun?
Bear with me, I promise I will get to those 6 tips in a minute . . . .
Last week I sat at my dermatologists office for my skin exam. As I waited for
my appointment, I realized that exactly 10 years ago (July 2006) I was sitting
in a dermatologists office with a diagnosis of malignant melanoma.
It was 2 months before my wedding . . .
Plastic surgery for removal of skin cancer was not in my wedding plan.
I was very fortunate that the melanoma was caught very early (called in situ).
The only treatment that was required was removal of the area of skin around the
melanoma to ensure all cancer cells were gone.
Still, there was surgery and stitches and scars that were frustrating to this bride
to be. I had a great plastic surgeon and practically bought stock in Mederma. The
scars were less noticeable than I had imagined they would be by the time I was
honeymooning on the beaches of St. Lucia.
After that, I went every 6 months for a full body skin check. If you have never had
a diagnosis of skin cancer, you should still see a dermatologist once a year.
1 in 5 Americans will develop some form of skin cancer. Those aren’t odds to play
around with. I have a family history, fair skin, and am prone to freckling putting
me at high risk. However. . . NO ONE IS RISK FREE!
Going forward, I need to do everything I can to protect myself and my family from
the harmful effects of UV rays. If skin cancer doesn’t concern you enough to take
action. . .
Did you know that 90% of visible changes attributed to aging are caused by the sun?
So let’s take care of the largest organ in our body. . OUR SKIN!
- Limit sun exposure when rays are strongest between 10am and 4pm.
- Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before exposure to allow it to be absorbed.
- Use SPF of 30 or higher for best protection.
- Apply about 1 oz (a shot glass size) of sunscreen every 2 hours.
- Replace your sunscreen when expired, it should last 2-3 years at most.
- Wear wide brimmed hats, protective clothing, and sunglasses for more coverage.
So, PLEASE lather on the sunscreen this holiday weekend. In fact, if we use sunscreen in the correct
amount and frequency, my family of 4 should go through an entire bottle of sunscreen over a weekend.
Have fun, stay safe, and enjoy your holiday from all of us at Peak Potential Physiotherapy & Wellness!
