Spring Break Sun Care

If you have plans to travel over Spring Break, be sure to consider your skin as you pack your bags for your big adventure. Whether you’re going to a beach where you’ll sit in the sun with the majority of your skin exposed except for what’s below your bathing suit, or to the ski slopes where just your face is exposed, you need to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays.

After a long winter, you may be in need of the sun’s rays to give you a sense of well-being and the anticipation of spring’s warmer temperatures. The sun is essential to your good health, however if you’re unprotected and over-exposed to its ultraviolet (UV) rays. The harmful UV rays can cause premature skin aging and skin cancer.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association “skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States.” “Current estimates are that one in five Americans will develop skin cancer in their lifetime.” No matter what skin color you have, you can get skin cancer.

With too much exposure to the sun, you may experience premature aging to your skin as well. Typical signs of include: wrinkles, sagging, and brown spots. With the use of a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher sunscreen you can defend against sun-related skin cancer and premature skin aging.

While on your trip this spring keep these skin hints in mind:

• Children who are have severe sunburns during childhood may have an increased risk of melanoma, so ensure they are properly protected from the sun.
• Use water resistant sunscreen. No sunscreen is completely water-resistant, but water resistant types can provide 40 to 80 minutes of protection. It’s a good idea to reapply every two hours.
• Remember that even if it’s cloudy, you need to still apply sunscreen.

Medical Dermatology Specialists offers superior and patient centered skin care to patients of all ages. Contact us today for your skin cancer treatment in Atlanta.