Summer in New Jersey means more time outside. Pool days, long walks on the boardwalk, summer sports, and lazy afternoons in the sun are par for the course, and even though your skin may love the glow, ultraviolet (UV) exposure can quietly damage your skin cells every time you spend long hours outdoors without protection.
Unfortunately, all that damage adds up.
Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, but the good news is that many cases are preventable with the right habits.
Glenn Kolansky, MD, FAAD, and the Advanced Dermatology Surgery & Laser Center team want to help you protect your skin now to lower your risk of skin cancer later.
Here are five important ways to prevent skin cancer this summer.
Sunscreen is one of the most effective tools for protecting your skin from harmful UV rays, so naturally, this has to be number one on a skin cancer prevention list.
Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen. The sun protection factor (SPF) should be 30 or higher. Broad-spectrum simply means that it’ll protect you from both UVA and UBA rays.
Wear sunscreen every day — rain, shine, or clouds! Putting it on once isn’t enough; be sure to reapply every two hours when you’re outdoors, especially if you’re swimming or sweating.
Don’t forget commonly missed areas like:
Pro tip: Most adults don’t apply enough of the sunscreen needed for full SPF protection. Most people need about one ounce (roughly enough to fill a shot glass) to cover their body. (This may change depending on how much clothing you’re wearing.)
Keep a travel-size sunscreen in places you already reach for during the summer. This could include your car, beach bag, golf bag, stroller, or gym bag.
Most sunburns happen because people planned to “only be outside for a few minutes” and ended up with more UV exposure than expected.
The sun’s UV rays aren’t the same strength throughout the day. They’re strongest from late morning (about 10 a.m.) through late afternoon (around 4 p.m.).
This means that you don’t have to give up spending time in nature; after all, nature can be therapeutic! If possible, plan outdoor activities earlier in the morning or later in the evening.
Sunscreen helps, but physical protection matters too. Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, rash guards, and lightweight long sleeves can help shield your skin from direct sun exposure. Many brands now offer clothing with built-in UPF protection.
Protective clothing is especially important if you can’t avoid sun exposure during the peak hours.
Many people head to the tanning beds in the summer to get a “base tan” so they don’t burn. Remember, there’s no such thing as a “safe tan” from UV exposure. Tanning beds and sun tanning both damage your skin and increase your risk of skin cancer and premature aging.
Sunless tanning products are a much safer option if you want to achieve a bronzed look.
Skin cancer is often highly treatable when detected early. Removing precancerous spots can help prevent them from turning into full-blown skin cancer.
Pay attention to:
If something looks different or concerning, it’s worth getting checked here in our Tinton Falls, New Jersey, office.
Even if you wear sunscreen consistently, routine skin exams are still important, especially if you have:
A professional skin exam with Dr. Kolansky can help identify suspicious spots early, sometimes before you notice them yourself.
Call 732-204-8311 or click here to schedule your next appointment.
