Skin cancer is a scary reality for many people. Fortunately, it’s one of the easiest types to treat when caught early. Dr. Allen Sapadin in Hackensack, New Jersey, offers not only effective treatment for the disease, he also offers several tips to prevent getting it.
This is one of the easiest ways to prevent getting skin cancer. While your body gets vitamin D from sunlight, you can also get it from a healthy diet, eliminating the need for prolonged sun exposure. Dr. Sapadin recommends wearing a minimum of SPF 15 when you spend time in the sun and reapplying every few hours or so, especially when swimming. And you should even put it on when it’s cloudy.
This will not only help keep you cool, but it will reduce your chances of getting sunburned. You should seek shaded areas between the hours of 10am-3pm, when ultraviolet rays are at their strongest.
Many diagnoses of melanoma, the most dangerous form of skin cancer, have been linked to the frequent use of tanning beds. The concentrated exposure of UVA and UVB rays in tanning beds can be stronger than ordinary sun exposure. In addition to increasing the risk of getting skin cancer, tanning beds can damage can skin cells.
If you enjoy the look of tanned skin, there are healthier ways to acquire it, such as with spray tans or tinted lotions.
If you’re planning a day hike or lounging around the pool for a few hours, it’s tempting to leave on a bathing suit or wear tops that expose your back and shoulders. However, this can put your skin at risk for sun damage. If you’re planning to hike, consider a shirt made with heat reflective fabric that is designed to breathe when you sweat. When by the pool, have a cute beach wrap or towel nearby to put over you as you flip through a magazine or sip a drink.
Spend some time in front of the bathroom mirror and get to know your body’s moles, birthmarks, and scars. If any of them start to change in size or color, keep tabs on them and make an appointment with Dr. Sapadin to have them checked out. When necessary, it’s better to remove a suspicious-looking mole than leave it to chance.
If you’re concerned about the appearance of a mole or just need to schedule a yearly examination, book an appointment online or over the phone with Dr. Allen Sapadin today.
