Sunscreen: Your First Line of Defense for Skin Protection

This month, Price Skin Care Clinic joins the Skin Cancer Foundation for ‘Skin Cancer Awareness Month’ with reminders on how you can protect your skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays.

You can’t underestimate the powerful protection that sunscreen offers to decrease the risk of skin cancer, prevent painful sunburns, and guard against premature aging.

“Sunscreen is the number one preventative measure you can take to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays,” said Richard Price, M.D., of Price Skin Care Clinic in Ridgeland, Mississippi. “To paraphrase a well-known a credit card commercial, ‘You shouldn’t leave home without it!’”

Here are three reasons why sunscreen is your first line of defense for skin protection.

Sunscreen Protects Against Skin Cancer
Fun in the sun can come at a price if you aren’t wearing sunscreen. The sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays are a form of radiation and can damage your skin.

According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, regular daily use of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 can reduce your risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma by about 40 percent and lower your melanoma risk by 50 percent.

And while we often associate the use of sunscreen with summer, UV radiation isn’t limited to one season. The sun can damage your skin on the winter ski slopes as well as on a lake in a ski boat. Year-round use of sunscreen protects your skin whenever you are outdoors.

Sunscreen Protects Against Sunburn
Your risk of developing melanoma – the deadliest form of skin cancer – doubles with a history of five or more sunburns.

Applying sunscreen with an SPF of 15 (for everyday use) or SPF 30 (if outside for prolonged periods) protects your skin from painful burns and suffering the kind of damage that can lead to skin cancers like melanoma.

Sunscreen Prevents Premature Aging
Over time, UV radiation from the sun can cause wrinkling, sagging and age spots.

But by using sunscreen anytime you are outdoors, you can prevent premature aging and keep your skin looking younger.

How to Use Sunscreen
Using sunscreen is a fast, inexpensive, and convenient way to protect your skin.

You should apply sunscreen liberally 30 minutes before going outside, every two hours while out, and reapply after swimming or sweating.

All exposed skin is at risk for damage so remember to cover the areas that are easy to forget such as the:
• Tops of your ears
• Back of your neck
• Your scalp
• Tops of your feet
• Behind your knees.

If you have questions about your skin health or would like to schedule your annual skin screen exam, give us a call at: 601.992.3996.