Skin Cancer Awareness Series Part 3: Protect Your Skin – An Ounce of Prevention …

This month, Price Skin Care Clinic joins skin care professionals across the United States for ‘Skin Cancer Awareness Month’ by publishing a three-part series about skin cancer.

Our third blog post, “Protect Your Skin: An Ounce of Prevention’ is featured below.

While it’s true that skin cancer is one of the most common types of cancer, it’s also true that it is one of the most preventable.

“Protecting your skin today could save your life tomorrow,” says Richard Price M.D. of Price Skin Care in Ridgeland, MS. “Prevention is simple and powerful. And just a few precautions taken every time you step outdoors can significantly reduce your risk of skin cancer.”

Those precautions fall under three primary categories:
• Sunscreen
• Protective Clothing and Accessories
• UV Rays

Sunscreen: Your First Line of Defense
The most important precaution you can take is to wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen when outdoors for any length of time. These protect against the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays.

Sunscreen tips:
• SPF Matters: For daily use, use a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. If you’re going to be outdoors for an extended time, use SPF 50+.
• How and When to Apply: Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every 2 hours — more often if swimming or sweating. Remember to cover spots you can’t easily see: ears, tops of feet, scalp, and back of the neck.

Wear Protective Clothing and Accessories
For an extra layer of protection from the sun’s harmful rays, wear clothes and accessories that cover your skin:
• UV-Protective Clothing: Clothes labeled UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) offer extra defense. A UPF 50 garment blocks 98% of UV rays.
• Wide-Brimmed Hats: Protect the face, ears, and neck — all common skin cancer sites.
• Sunglasses with UV Protection: Your eyes are also vulnerable so wear 100% UVA/UVB protection sunglasses.
• Lightweight and Long-Sleeved: You may be tempted to go short, but don’t. Choose long-sleeved but breathable, tightly woven fabrics designed to keep you cool while shielding skin.

Don’t Let the Weather Fool You
Just because you can’t see the sun, doesn’t mean it’s not there. Up to 80% of the sun’s UV rays can penetrate the clouds and cause damage.

Remember these tips:
• Cloudy Days Still Bring UV Rays: Make sunscreen and protective wear a habit year-round.
• Cold Weather Doesn’t Mean Safe Skin: Snow can reflect up to 80% of UV radiation, increasing exposure. Wear sunscreen on the slopes or during winter walks.
• Everyday Habits: Encourage consistent protection — driving, walking the dog, or even sitting by a window can expose skin to UV light.

An Ounce of Prevention
Practicing these sun safe rules and sharing them with family and friends is your best defense against the most common form of cancer known to man.

Follow them today and you just might save your life tomorrow.

Skin Cancer Awareness Month is the perfect time to schedule your annual skin exam with a skin professional at Price Skin Care Clinic. To schedule your appointment, call 601.992.3996.