Skin cancer has become one of the most common cancers and usually occurs with light colored skin.
The parts of the skin that are highly affected are the ones that are directly exposed to the sun.
Prevention for this type of cancer is relatively easy compared to the other forms of cancer. Your sun exposure should be minimized during midday between 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and sunscreen must be used.
Sunscreens or sunblocks are lotion that contain one or more chemicals which absorb and scatter UV rays.
A higher SPF (Sun Protection Factors) number of the sunscreen indicates a better protection of the skin.
Products containing zinc oxide or titanium oxide are the ones that can only totally block UV rays. If you are a person that has a very fair complexion, always burn and never tans, you should use SPF 15 or greater.
If you have fair complexion, always burn and tan minimally, you should use SPF 8-15. If you have light to medium complexion and you burn moderately and tan gradually, you should use SPF 6-8.
If you have medium complexion and you burn minimally and tan well, you should use SPF 4-6. If you have dark brown or black complexion and you seldom burn but you tan easily and deeply, you should use SPF 2-4.
Application of sunscreen to all areas of the body that are exposed to the sun is necessary. It should be reapplied every after 2 hours.
Clothes and hats are also a great way to protect your skin. Generally, a fabric with tighter and denser weave, layered with a dull finish in dark colors gives the best protection.
But usually these types of fabrics tend to be hot and less comfortable. Cotton shirts give a relatively poor protection since UV rays can pass through the loops on the structure.
Exposure to UV radiation, like tanning salons, should be avoided. Although these precautions may lessen the risk of getting skin cancer, it does not totally guarantee that you will not acquire the cancer.
