• Do not burn: Avoid sun tanning and tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds causes skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look like you’ve been in the sun, consider using a sunless self-tanning product, but continue to use sunscreen with it.
• Generously apply sunscreen to all exposed skin using a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of at least 15 which provides broad-spectrum protection from both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation. Re-apply every two hours, even on cloudy days, and after swimming or sweating.
• Wear protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses, where possible.
• Seek shade when appropriate, remembering that the sun’s rays are the strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
• Use extra caution near water, snow and sand as they reflect the damaging rays of the sun which can increase your chance of sunburn.
Early detection of melanoma can save your life. Carefully examine all of your skin once a month. A new or changing skin lesion in an adult should be evaluated.
